Doctors from the Surgery Department of Song Ma District General Hospital examine and treat people from neighboring Laos.

With a capacity of 200 beds, Song Ma District General Hospital has 4 functional departments, 11 clinical departments, 3 paraclinical departments, and 179 staff and employees. The hospital has implemented and applied 16 new clinical services and is currently implementing 1 paraclinical service. Dr. Hoang Lan Phuong, Deputy Director of the hospital, informed: The hospital's facilities have been comprehensively invested in over the years, and the hospital focuses on training and improving the professional skills of its medical staff, thereby continuously improving the quality of care and treatment for patients in the border region. The hospital's medical staff are always enthusiastic and responsible towards all patients. The hospital always creates favorable conditions for patients from Laos to come for examination and treatment. From 2017 to the present, the hospital has received, examined, and treated nearly 240 patients from Laos, including 70 inpatients.

Dr. Quang Van Dung, Head of the Surgery Department at Song Ma District General Hospital, shared: "Most of the Lao patients who come here are in serious emergency situations due to accidents, such as traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and internal organ damage... At the hospital, patients receive the best medical services and treatment. Due to difficult transportation conditions, Lao patients rarely return for follow-up visits. Therefore, before discharge, we always give them detailed instructions on how to care for themselves after treatment. At the same time, we provide the direct phone number of the department head so that patients can call to report their condition and seek advice on health care."

Recently, Mr. Vieng Phiu, 57 years old, from Muong Et district, Hua Phan province, Laos, was admitted to Song Ma District General Hospital for emergency treatment with a traumatic brain injury, fractured ribs, and multiple open wounds resulting from a motorcycle accident. Upon admission, the medical team immediately treated the fractured bones and administered medication to dissolve blood clots in the brain. After a week of intensive treatment, Mr. Vieng Phiu's health improved, his wounds healed, the blood clots in his brain dissolved, his headaches subsided, and after 12 days of treatment, he recovered and was discharged from the hospital.

Recalling the time he received dedicated care and treatment from the doctors and nurses at Song Ma District General Hospital, Mr. Vieng Phiu said emotionally: "I was very fortunate to receive enthusiastic treatment and care from the doctors and nurses of the hospital, so my health recovered quickly. My family and I are very grateful to the doctors and nurses here and will always trust and choose Song Ma District General Hospital as a reputable place to go for medical examination and treatment."

Nurse Lo Minh Dieu, from the Intensive Care Unit of Song Ma District General Hospital, said: "The examination and treatment of the people of Laos are carried out according to the correct medical procedures. Besides examination and treatment, doctors and nurses support patients during their care and recovery; and at the same time, they incorporate the dissemination of information on environmental hygiene and personal hygiene to prevent seasonal diseases."

Dr. Hoang Lan Phuong further informed: To further improve the quality of medical examination and treatment for patients in general and for Lao citizens in particular, the hospital continues to focus on training and improving the professional skills, communication abilities, and Lao language proficiency of its medical staff, meeting the needs of patients and aiming for patient satisfaction. For patients who are officials from Laos, the hospital will report to the District People's Committee to implement support mechanisms and policies as committed in the memorandum of cooperation signed between Song Ma District and the districts of Laos.

By focusing on investing in infrastructure, improving professional skills, and gradually enhancing the quality of medical examination and treatment, Song Ma District General Hospital has become a trusted address for people on both sides of the border, helping them to work and produce with peace of mind and actively participate in protecting the border.