No fee
We happened to know Mr. Tran Minh Son (born in 1987, Tan Binh hamlet) during a business trip to the Tan Phu Commune Health Station, Chau Thanh District, Dong Thap Province. While the doctors at the station were examining and treating people, Mr. Son was also meticulously cleaning and checking the still-clean ambulance neatly placed in the station yard.
While working, he told us that although this job is hard, sometimes he has to stop working or eat unfinished because of a sick person, but in return he has the opportunity to contribute to saving people's lives. This is even more precious when he can contribute right on his homeland.
“I live with my mother who is over 80 years old. Every day after taking care of her, doing gardening and housework, I go to the medical station to take care of the bonsai and check the vehicles. I always put myself in the position of having to rush to take a patient without hesitation. Over time, I have come to see myself as an employee of the station, whenever help is needed, I am there,” said Mr. Son.
About 10 years ago, life in this commune was very difficult. The roads were far away, so anyone who was seriously ill was disadvantaged, because taxi fares were expensive, while many people, even if they had the money to hire one, would not survive. The same was true for Mr. Son's father, who was seriously ill and was rushed to Sa Dec General Hospital in critical condition.
So when he had the means, Mr. Son boldly went to driving school and then moved to Ho Chi Minh City to drive a service car to the provinces to earn extra money to take care of his father's illness. Whenever he returned to his hometown of Dong Thap, if anyone needed help, Mr. Son would enthusiastically drive to help them right away.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he moved back to his hometown to live close to his elderly mother. At this time, Tan Phu Commune Health Station was supported with an ambulance to transport patients, he volunteered to drive for free, the remaining costs such as fuel, maintenance, inspection, the Commune People's Committee and benefactors continued to help.
“My income now comes from the fruit trees in my garden, which is not much, but the most important thing is that I like to help people. When I have to bring people to the hospital in time, I am moved to tears. When patients die, despite many reasons, I also blame myself,” Son said.
Love in the countryside
A family member who was directly taken to the emergency room by Mr. Son, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Xuan - a family member who has been working at the Tan Phu Commune Health Station for nearly 2 decades - shared that 2 years ago, her husband was unfortunately stung by a bee, causing anaphylactic shock. Thanks to the health station and Mr. Son who took him to the emergency room, her husband was revived.
"The doctors at the station tried to use resuscitation measures on him, and Mr. Son was enthusiastic and ran very quickly to take him to the hospital. I am very grateful," said Ms. Xuan.
Regarding this memorable case, Mr. Son remembers clearly: "Normally I have to run for nearly 22 minutes, but I only ran for 12 minutes and 30 seconds. Running fast and running carefully to save people and not affect other traffic participants, all of it gave me strength."
Doctor Le Van Na - Head of Tan Phu Commune Health Station acknowledged that Mr. Son's noble heart is very precious and everyone loves and trusts him. When the Health Station did not have any budget for drivers, Mr. Son still enthusiastically contributed...
"It is this neighborly love that motivates us to do our best to provide the best health care for our people," said Dr. Na.
