Ly Seo Pao is being treated at the hospital
Pao, 26, from Bao Thang District in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, has been in a deep coma for nearly a month at the National Institute of Burns in Hanoi.
His older brother, Ly Seo Chung, who has been caring for him at the hospital, tearfully recalled the day Pao was injured.
On May 15, while working on a hillside farm, Pao was electrocuted by high-voltage electricity and severely burned.
Ly Seo Pao's older brother Ly Seo Chung takes care of him at the hospital
According to Chung, Pao was healthy but illiterate, making a living by doing whatever odd jobs were available in the village. His 22-year-old wife is also uneducated and only capable of manual labour, earning barely enough to cover daily meals. Their family and relatives are all poor and unable to provide much financial help. They have already sold much of their farm produce to pay for Pao's treatment, but the funds are insufficient.
"Each day in the hospital costs us nearly VND 10 million (approximately USD 390). We've sold everything we could, and now we have nothing left. If it weren't for the free meals provided by charity groups at the hospital, I wouldn't even have food to eat," Chung said.
Dr Ngo Tuan Hung, from the Emergency Resuscitation Department of the National Institute of Burns, told Dantri that Pao suffered extensive high-voltage electrical burns, with injuries covering 61 per cent of his body. Of this, 25 per cent are deep second to fourth-degree burns affecting his face, torso, limbs, genital area and respiratory system.
Pao's right arm suffered complete muscle necrosis and had to be amputated one-third below the elbow. His right leg is also at risk. He remains on mechanical ventilation and strong antibiotics, with frequent dressing changes requiring advanced medical materials and high-nutrition care.
Despite having 95 per cent of his treatment costs covered by health insurance, the family still needs to pay between VND 5 and 7 million (approximately USD 195 to 270) per day, not including hospital bed fees, procedures, or surgery.
If he survives the shock phase, Pao will face a long and painful journey ahead, involving multiple surgeries to remove dead tissue, skin grafts, rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society.
"We're doing everything we can to save Pao, but his family is completely exhausted, with no means left. Through Dantri, we sincerely appeal to kind-hearted readers and benefactors to support him," said Dr Hung.
If you can help, donate through:
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