At midday on October 19, Mr. Nay Hil, from Kênh Hmek village, Ia Le commune, suddenly collapsed while talking with a friend and was rushed unconscious to Gia Lai General Hospital. Upon arrival, doctors found him in critical condition with severe chest pain, respiratory distress, and dangerously low blood pressure.
Dr. Tran Ke Toan, level II specialist and Head of the Cardiology Department, said the patient was diagnosed with cardiogenic shock and acute myocardial infarction. “He had no health insurance, and his family brought only 700,000 dong (about USD 27),” Dr. Toan noted.
A life-saving cardiac intervention, costing more than 100 million dong (about USD 4,000) for medical supplies alone, was urgently required.
Despite the lack of funds, the hospital leadership ordered the team to proceed with emergency treatment while seeking external support.
The team performed a cardiac procedure and placed two coronary stents, successfully bringing the patient out of critical condition.
Mr. Nay Hil’s daughter, Ms. Kpuih H’Hin, said her family was deeply moved by the doctors’ dedication. “We had no money and no valid insurance card, yet they still saved my father’s life. We will never forget their kindness,” she said.
Recognizing the family’s hardship, the hospital’s social work team contacted the Thien Tam Fund under Vingroup Group, which agreed to cover the patient’s medical expenses. The fund had previously supported two other poor patients at the hospital with a total of 70 million dong (about USD 2,800).
Dr. Toan emphasized that many patients, especially from ethnic minority communities, lack awareness of the importance of health insurance. “When faced with serious illnesses, the absence of insurance leaves them unable to afford essential treatment,” he said.
Thanks to the timely efforts of the medical team and charitable support, Mr. Nay Hil has passed the critical stage and is now recovering well.