Poor farmer seeks help to save wife after landslide in Son La

Sitting quietly beside his wife's hospital bed in the intensive care unit at Viet Duc University Hospital in Hanoi, Giang A Sua, 51, can do little but hope.

His wife, Lau Thi De, 49, lies unconscious, surrounded by ventilators, intravenous drips and life-support equipment after being critically injured in a mountain landslide.

"I only hope my wife survives," Sua said through tears.

According to Sua, the couple were working on their hillside farm in Van Ho Commune, Son La Province, on the morning of May 8, clearing weeds and spreading fertiliser, when a massive section of rock and earth suddenly collapsed from above, burying De beneath the debris.

Panicked, Sua managed to call for help from villagers before losing consciousness himself. De was taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Viet Duc University Hospital because of the severity of her injuries.

The couple belong to Vietnam's Hmong ethnic minority and rely entirely on farming maize and rice for their livelihood. Their two adult children have families of their own and also depend on agriculture, leaving them unable to provide significant financial support.

Desperate to save his wife, Sua sold the family's two cows, their most valuable assets, and borrowed VND 70 million (USD 2,700) from relatives.

"All the money from selling the cows and borrowing has already been spent, but my wife is still unconscious. I don't know what else to do," he said before breaking down in tears.

Speaking to Dantri/Dtinews, Dr Dang Hai Son of Viet Duc University Hospital said De was admitted with multiple life-threatening injuries.

She suffered severe blunt chest trauma, causing blood and air to accumulate in both pleural cavities and requiring emergency drainage. Doctors also suspect cardiac trauma. In addition, she sustained multiple fractured ribs, pelvic injuries and a fractured right femur.

"These are all serious injuries that require prolonged intensive care, treatment and rehabilitation, resulting in substantial medical costs, while the patient's family is in extremely difficult financial circumstances," Dr Son said.

He added that the family lives in a remote mountainous area where farming is their only source of income, leaving them with few financial resources to cover long-term treatment.

"We sincerely hope that Dantri/Dtinews readers and charitable donors will support Ms De and her family so that she has a better chance of overcoming this difficult period," Dr Son said.