Dantri/DTiNews Newspaper and the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases held a free community health programme in Na Sang Commune on August 30, providing local residents with health checks, medical advice and medicine.
Residents from remote villages began arriving at the Na Sang Commune Health Station early in the morning, queuing to be examined by doctors from the central-level hospital.
Among them were Sung A Chang, born in 1990, and his wife Giang Thi Va, born in 1991, from Huoi Quang Village.
The couple woke at 5.30 am to prepare food for their five children before setting off for the commune centre. Before they left, several villagers asked them to seek medical advice and collect medicine on their behalf.
"The journey is nearly 40 km and the road is rough, so not everyone can make it here. Recent rain has also left some sections very muddy. Villagers asked us to describe their conditions to the doctors and seek advice for them," Chang said.
Older residents also asked the couple to bring back supplements and other medicines.
After examining the couple and providing medical advice, doctors gave them vitamins, liver supplements, medicated oil and other products to take back to residents of Huoi Quang Village.
Hundreds of residents in Na Sang received health checks and medical advice during the programme.
Among them was Lo Thi Tam, 32, who had been diagnosed with hepatitis B as a child but had not been taking antiviral medication. Financial difficulties had prevented her from undergoing regular health checks.
A liver fibrosis assessment showed her condition had progressed and required antiviral treatment. Doctors advised further tests at a central-level hospital, including liver and kidney function, liver cancer screening and HBV DNA testing.
According to Le Van Thieu, a doctor at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, most residents examined during the programme had common conditions including musculoskeletal disorders, hypertension and diabetes.
Screening detected more than 10 cases of hepatitis B, including two patients with F2 liver fibrosis who were advised to start antiviral treatment.
Patients with F2 or F3 liver fibrosis were advised to seek treatment and regular follow-up. An ultrasound also detected a liver tumour of more than 6 cm in one patient, who was referred for further specialist care.
Le Van Duong, a representative of the Na Sang Commune Health Station, said the facility had only basic equipment such as blood pressure monitors and thermometers and lacked ultrasound machines and some rapid diagnostic equipment.
He said bringing modern medical equipment to the remote commune not only gave residents access to better healthcare but also allowed local medical workers to gain experience with more advanced technology.
Nguyen Vo Nam, vice chairman of the Na Sang Commune People's Committee, said many residents had arrived early for the programme and welcomed the opportunity to be examined by doctors from a central-level hospital without having to travel long distances.
Local authorities hope the programme will encourage residents to have regular health checks rather than seek medical care only after symptoms appear.
A day earlier, Dantri/DTiNews and the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases organised health consultations and screenings for parasites and hepatitis B and C among pupils at primary schools in Na Sang Commune.
The programme is part of the newspaper's community healthcare initiative aimed at improving access to medical services for people in remote and disadvantaged areas.
Dantri/DTiNews has so far worked with hospitals and local authorities to organise 44 free health consultation programmes, reaching nearly 9,200 people across the country.