VietNamNet Bridge – For the past 30 years, Dr. Bui Dinh Linh - Director of the Medical Center of Phu Quy Island District – has devoted his heart and mind to take care of the people on the island district of Phu Quy, in the central province of Binh Thuan.

Dr. Bui Dinh Linh (right).

The story of Dr. Linh touched the heart of all participants at a meeting with role models of the 9th National Patriotic Emulation Congress held in Hanoi on December 7.

In 1985, it was very difficult to go to Phu Quy Island. To get there, visitors had to wait for fishing boats from the island for a few days. It then took several days more to reach the island during days when the sea was rough.

At that time, 11,000 islanders did not have any doctor. Then Dr. Bui Dinh Linh volunteered to work on the island. Without doctors, the island lost over 10 people to minor diseases like appendicitis or difficult births each year.

Dr. Linh and his colleagues have worked hard to build a healthcare center on the island, which plays the role of a “health base” for not only islanders but also for Truong Sa Archipelago in general. This clinic has saved the lives of many local residents.

In 1989, when no deaths were recorded from appendicitis on the island, Dr. Linh was asked to return to the mainland. However, he decided to stay with Phu Quy Island.

He has been asked many times over the years to return, but has stayed on the island.

Dr. Linh's daughter (black).

Dr. Linh has lived far from home and his beloved family. Now Phu Quy has become his second home and Phu Quy islanders and soldiers his family.

Attending the meeting, Dr. Linh’s daughter recalled her childhood without her father. The girl’s stories moved all attendants.

She did not recognize her father when he returned home and saw her at the door. The little girl always cried whenever her father came home and then left Phu Quy Island. She used to be afraid of coming home after class alone feeling the absence of her father.

The doctor said he had to think a lot about his decision to work and stay on the island but he was lucky to have a kind and responsible wife and a lovely and understanding daughter who encouraged him to fulfil his mission.

He read a letter of his daughter when she was a fifth grader: "My father works very far from home, on a remote island. He is a doctor who cures many patients. He is busy day and night, because the patients need him. I love my dad so I have to study hard.”

“My daughter’s letter gave me strength to continue to work on the island,” Dr. Linh said.

Devotion to the cause of education

Teacher Nguyen Thi Thong (middle).

The story of a female teacher who organized charity classes for 15 years has moved many people.

After retiring 15 years ago, teacher Nguyen Thi Thong, former Headmaster of Ngu Loc 2 Elementary School in Ngu Loc commune, of Hau Loc district in Thanh Hoa province has been offering free classes.

Thong said due to poverty, many adults and children in Ngu Loc suffered from illiteracy, which have caused a lot of difficulties in life. That’s why she decided to open free classes for local people. Her students include youth, adults and those with disabilities.

"To be able to teach disabled kids, I must become their grandmother and mother. Whenever I’m still healthy and my eyes are still bright, I will still maintain these classes," Thong said.

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