I am responsible for my patients!
Tiep is an ENT doctor from National Children’s Hospital in Honai, Vietnam. He is the fourth seed-doctor of the hospital. The hospital has sent a surgeon, anorthodontist, and a speech therapist to participate in the NCF seed-doctor program. With the support of the foundation, the medical team of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital has gradually well developed.
Dr. Tiep reveals, “I have always wanted to help others and do good deeds since I was a child. This original intention may be the primary reason why I become a doctor today.” Dr. Tiep’s father is a biochemical engineer, and his mom is a clothing salesperson. He also has a younger sister. Growing up in a middle-class family provides Dr. Tiep a good base to pursue his dream. He has been realistic about his plan to become a doctor and moved slowly and purposely to achieve his goal. After being hard-working for many years, he finally fulfilled his childhood dream.
Dr. Tiep (1st one from the left) reveals he has always wanted to help others and do good deeds since he was a child.
Dr. Tirp normally served 2-3 patients who suffer from hearing loss every day and around 10 patients who need further surgery for cochlear implantation every month when working for Speech and Hearing Centre at the hospital.Unfortunately, receivingcochlear implantation surgery is on patients’ own expenses in Vietnam. Furthermore, it is mostly foreign surgeons to conduct this surgery, which makes this surgery even more unaffordable for families with an average income in Vietnam.“It is very sad to know this, to be honest. It is nearly impossible for families with an average income to afford this surgery in Vietnam. Accordingly, these young patients can only be deaf or dumb. They cannot enjoy a normal life like us. It is a curl fact but it happens every day”, said Dr. Tirp with deep feelings. “This is another reason why I am eager to be in Taiwan to learncochlear implantation surgery. I would like to stop the sad stories from happening repeatedly. The highest expectation for myself is that I learn cochlear implantation surgery appropriately and very well.As such, I can serve patients back in Vietnam. Most importantly, these patients can have the same quality of operations with an affordable fee.”
The medical quality andsystem of Taiwan are what Dr. Tirp amazed the most while in Taiwan. “Seeing is believing”, said Dr. Tirp with emotions, “There are lots of things to learn from, like well-equipped medical facilities, the well-constructed online record for every patient, well-established National Health Insurance, and well-trained medical professionals. No wonder there are many medical professionals wanting to come to Chang Gungto upgrade their skills.” The well-equipped and advance medical facilities impress Dr. Tiep the most. “If a hospital provides insufficient medical facilities, patients are always the ones who suffer the most because they cannot receive the right examination and treatment.”
Dr. Tiep (the right one) with his teacher Dr. Zung-Chung Chen (the left one)
Dr. Tiep also shared with us excitingly that he saw some university students who wear artificial cochlear. He said, “It is nearly impossible to happen in Vietnam! People with hearing loss go to university! It would be a fairy tale in Vietnam but it happens in Taiwan!”He then further said, “Taiwan is a beautiful country. I have many lovely memories during my six-month stay here. I have been to Tamsui for watching dragon-boat racing, to Long Dong Wan Cape at the Northeast coast for diving, and to Ali shan to enjoy the sunrise on the first day of 2019. What I am grateful the most is that I have learned how to operate cochlear implantation surgery. I can nowindependently conduct this surgery, consult patients with hearing loss and Microtia. This is the biggest breakthrough for me.”
