Doctor devoted to the people

Although 11 years have passed, every time he recalls it, Mr. Nguyen Van Em, residing in Cu Tron Hamlet, An Son Commune (Kien Hai, Kien Giang) still cannot forget that life-threatening moment. In 2014, while fishing more than 20 nautical miles from Nam Du Island, Mr. Nguyen Van Em had a severe stomachache and fainted. Immediately after receiving the request for assistance, Nam Du Border Guard Station sent medic Nguyen Quoc Cong and vehicles to quickly approach and provide first aid to him.

“At first I thought it was a stomachache due to cold or indigestion, so I applied oil around my navel but it didn’t help. The pain got worse and worse, and I was sweating all over, so I called the Nam Du Border Guard Station for help. They examined me and diagnosed me with appendicitis, which could be dangerous if not treated promptly, so after the IV was finished, Mr. Cong took me down to the boat to move to shore.

While traveling on the speedboat, although I was in a lot of pain and tired, I could still hear people on the boat whispering and worrying about whether I would make it... After being taken to Kien Giang General Hospital for emergency surgery, my health gradually recovered. If it weren't for Dr. Cong saving my life, I don't know what would have happened to me now," said Mr. Nguyen Van Em.

Major Nguyen Quoc Cong examines people on Nam Du island.

In July 2023, while waiting for the high-speed train to the mainland, a thunderstorm suddenly occurred in the waiting area with a large tornado, causing the port roof to collapse, injuring many people.

Mr. Tran Van Hoang, residing in Cu Tron hamlet, An Son commune, recalled: “I was injured in the head, arms and legs. Before transferring the seriously injured to the mainland for emergency treatment, we received first aid and bandages from Doctor Cong and the medical staff on the island. Although it was raining heavily and the wind was blowing strongly, in the midst of the pain, I still witnessed the dedication of the military medics who wholeheartedly treated the victims”... These are just two of many incidents in which Major Nguyen Quoc Cong has upheld the spirit of a doctor in a soldier's uniform, helping unfortunate victims in the island commune over the years.

Major Nguyen Quoc Cong examines people on Nam Du island.

Nam Du Border Guard Station is located in An Son and Nam Du communes, 65 nautical miles from the mainland. Far from the mainland, the lives of the islanders are still difficult, especially the lack of health care. Since Doctor Cong came to work on the island, the image of the border doctor has become familiar, a support for the people whenever they are sick or ill. Major Nguyen Quoc Cong confided: “Every day, along with the task of taking care of the health of the unit's officers and soldiers, the job that takes up the most of my time is receiving calls from the islanders asking for advice and health care. Regardless of the night, rain or wind or wherever I am, whenever I hear of a case, I immediately set out and arrive promptly to help the people.”

Because the island's conditions are still difficult, many serious cases have to be taken to the mainland for treatment, but thanks to the timely initial treatment of Major Nguyen Quoc Cong, many patients have escaped the critical condition. "One day at the end of 2024, when the whole family was preparing dinner, my husband suddenly became dizzy, could not stand, and showed signs of convulsions. Immediately, I picked up the phone and called Dr. Cong and just a few minutes after arriving, with his professional skills, Dr. Cong saved my husband from the critical condition. After a few days of stabilization, Mr. Cong also wholeheartedly worked with his family to take my husband to the mainland for treatment of a stroke. With Dr. Cong on the island, we feel very secure," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Chung, Cu Tron Hamlet, An Son Commune.

To make the island commune increasingly rich and civilized

Being an island far from shore, environmental sanitation is very difficult, so dengue fever has haunted the people on Nam Du Island. Whenever there is an epidemic on the island, many people are confused about how to deal with it, some families even have to evacuate their children to other places... Worried about this, Major Nguyen Quoc Cong has coordinated with local authorities to organize propaganda, distribute leaflets, remind people to maintain a hygienic lifestyle; participate in clearing bushes, unclogging sewers, collecting waste to prevent disease... thanks to which the epidemic has decreased significantly in recent times.

Comrade Tran Thi Yen Oanh, Vice Chairman of An Son Commune People's Committee, said: “Over the years, the coordination between Nam Du Border Guard Station and local authorities has always been smooth and effective, especially in mass mobilization work. Not only is Major Nguyen Quoc Cong a dedicated doctor, willing to help people, he is also very active in propagating and mobilizing people to do a good job of disease prevention and control so that the island commune is always green, clean, beautiful, and develops tourism. In particular, during the Covid-19 epidemic, regardless of difficulties and dangers, Mr. Cong always rushed to the front line to fight the epidemic, help people; organize propaganda, measure body temperature, rapid testing, and health declaration for local people and visitors to the island. In 2024, An Son commune met the advanced new rural standards and is currently striving to reach the finish line of building a model new rural area; in that success, there is a great contribution from border guards in general and Major Nguyen Quoc Cong in particular".

Major Nguyen Quoc Cong examines a soldier of Nam Du Border Guard Station.

Not only helping people when they are sick, one of the most important tasks of Major Nguyen Quoc Cong is to propagate and educate people to have a firm grasp of the law, confidently go out to sea, stick to the sea; actively participate in accompanying and sticking with the Border Guard to maintain sovereignty over the sea and islands. “I regularly join teams and border stations to propagate and disseminate to ship owners and fishermen to do a good job of monitoring the journey of fishing vessels operating in the sea, not violating foreign waters, not participating, assisting, covering up smuggling or concealing criminals... From the beginning of 2025 until now, my unit and I have organized 4 propaganda sessions for hundreds of ship owners, captains, and fishermen; in addition, I also participate in organizing regular people's meetings in residential areas, on fishermen's fishing boats and in local households", added Major Nguyen Quoc Cong.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Vu Minh Tuan, Political Commissar of Nam Du Border Guard Station, Comrade Cong's family has two young children and his wife runs a small grocery store. Although his house is near the unit, Comrade Cong always considers "the station as home", spending most of his time on duty with officers and soldiers at the unit. "With a sense of responsibility, not afraid of difficulties or hardships, Comrade Cong always completes his tasks well. The contributions of Major Nguyen Quoc Cong have contributed to raising awareness among the people. The islanders increasingly trust and love the Border Guard; actively participate in protecting sovereignty and border security, joining hands to build and develop the island commune to become increasingly prosperous and civilized", said Lieutenant Colonel Vu Minh Tuan.

Talking about her husband, Ms. Pham Thi Ngoan could not hide her pride: “Many times while eating or at night, whenever I hear a phone call about someone being sick, Mr. Cong immediately comes. As a wife, I am very proud of my husband. In addition to fulfilling his duties as a soldier, my husband is also a doctor who is loved and trusted by the neighbors on the island commune.”

Our conversation was interrupted by the phone ringing of Major Nguyen Quoc Cong. After answering the phone, he said that someone in the hamlet below was sick. Hurriedly saying goodbye to me, he immediately grabbed his medical equipment and his motorbike and set off. For a border medical soldier like Major Nguyen Quoc Cong, the people on the island are now truly loved and blood relatives... The close bond between the army and the people is a solid fence, joining hands and contributing to the development of the island commune, as well as protecting the peace in the southwestern sea of ​​the Fatherland.

Article and photos: LUU QUANG DUC

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-16/y-si-cong-o-xa-dao-nam-du-821800