Enthusiastic female leader of Can Tho Trade Union at the age of 52

Ms. Phan Thi Thu - Head of the Emergency Department Union (Can Tho City Maternity Hospital Union) has just won the Third Prize in the Final Round of the First Excellent Union Cadre Competition in 2024, which took place on December 6 in Hanoi.

Returning to Can Tho and having the opportunity to talk about her memories of participating in the contest organized by the Vietnam Medical Trade Union, Ms. Thu confided that at first, when it was launched, she only thought of participating in the spirit of responding to the industry and did not dare to "dream" of winning a prize. When the Organizing Committee announced that she had entered the preliminary round, she still could not believe the truth.

"I was very happy and excited but also worried because I had never participated in any contest before, partly because I was old and had low self-esteem. However, thanks to the encouragement and motivation of the grassroots union members and the industry union, I boldly competed and escaped my comfort zone at the age of over 50" - Ms. Thu said.

For the female union leader, winning third place in this competition is a great success. It is not only a meaningful achievement but also marks a breakthrough for herself, without being shy or self-conscious at any age.

"This achievement is a personal effort, support and encouragement from colleagues and the Emergency Department, the leaders of Can Tho City Obstetrics Hospital, and the Can Tho Health Trade Union. The competition, organized by the Vietnam Health Trade Union, is truly a useful playground for union members to dare to express themselves" - Ms. Thu happily said.

After the contest, Ms. Thu seemed to have more energy in taking care of people's health to contribute to the health sector. With the trade union, she is more confident that it will bring practical benefits to union members and workers.

"At the Can Tho City Obstetrics Hospital's grassroots union, there were cases of retired union officials suffering from serious illnesses. The brothers and sisters called for support in a humanitarian spirit. That is also the reason why for the past 26 years, I have been attached to and enthusiastically participated in activities organized by the union," said Ms. Thu.

It is known that before that, Ms. Thu was honored to receive a certificate of merit from the Prime Minister in 2022; the title of excellent physician in 2024 and many other certificates of merit from the People's Committee of Can Tho City and the Department of Health of Can Tho.

"We hope that through Ms. Thu's story, we can spread the spirit of enthusiasm to union members in professional work as well as participating in union activities. From there, we will contribute to the overall development of the Health Sector Trade Union in particular and the Vietnam Trade Union Organization in general," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ly - Chairwoman of the Health Sector Trade Union of Can Tho City.