HÀ NỘI — Despite the hot weather, the traditional medicine clinic in Northwest Nghệ An General Hospital is full of patients waiting for free examinations from young doctor Lá Văn Khôi.

Trương Kim Chung, 62, a patient from Nghĩa Đàn District, said that once he suffered from Bell’s palsy, making his mouth crooked and making it difficult to speak or smile.

At the hospital, he was told his facial nerve was paralysed.

After several weeks of treatment from doctor Khôi, his condition improved greatly.

Born and raised in a Thái ethnic minority family, Khôi, 29, understands hardships and poverty.

“Many people do not have any money for health treatment, they must ask shamans to help them drive the evil spirits away. I entered the medical sector to help them treat diseases,” said Khôi.

Five years ago, with an excellent decree of the Việt Nam University of Traditional Medicine, Khôi had all the opportunities to work in big cities. But he chose to return to his hometown.

Worried that the local hospital’s infrastructure was dilapidated and crowded with patients, Khôi proposed founding a volunteer club to help patients. It is the first club of its kind in Nghệ An, with more than 100 young doctors and nurses of the hospital as members.

“Some people ask me to discharge them from hospital after several days of treatment, because they run out of money. I must ask for support from different people to help them,” Khôi said.

Every month, Khôi and other volunteers spend part of their salary, together with support from the community, to cook porridge for poor patients.

Khôi is also the founder of the Thái Hòa Commune young doctor club. The club often gives free health examinations and medicine delivery to residents in poor and border communes.

Eager for social activities

Phạm Thị Hồng Mai, 21, a student of the Finance Faculty under the Việt Nam Maritime University, said that during 12 years at schools, she only studied, and ignored all other activities.

“But after going to university, I started to join social activities, and really enjoyed them,” she said.

Mai was born without a right arm. Though some admire Mai, many others disregard her.

“Joining social activities, I feel more confident to mingle with others,” she said.

During the past two years, Mai has won a university scholarship.

Mai volunteers to join all activities of the university such as helping candidates in university entrance exam, helping poor communes in summer vacation and blood donation. She does work suitable to her condition, including educating people about blood donation and talking to candidates and their parents about exams and the university.

Mai believes that volunteering givers her happiness and skills.

“I was born disabled but I strive to study and work and I’m confident,” said Mai.

Khôi and Mai are among 336  youths who will attend the 5th outstanding youth congress following late President Hồ Chí Minh’s teachings. The congress will take place on May 19 and 20 in HCM City, on the occasion of President Hồ’s 128th birthday and 70 years since Uncle Hồ’s call for patriotic emulation, on June 11.

Nguyễn Ngọc Lương, Secretary of the HCM Communist Youth Union Central Committee, said all of delegates were outstanding youths and had excellent achievements.

Lương stressed that the congress hoped that the individuals advanced in studying and following President Hồ’s thought, morality and lifestyle would offer inspiration and spread positivity to young people nationwide. — VNS