The health sector of Lang Son province: 70 years following Uncle Ho’s teachings

President Ho Chi Minh said it that “A doctor must be like a gentle mother,” generations of doctors and medical professionals in Lang Son have upheld this principle as their guiding mission for the past 70 years. It is both an honor and a duty entrusted by the Party and Uncle Ho, driving continuous efforts to protect public health.

In his letter to healthcare workers on February 27, 1955, President Ho Chi Minh wrote: “Patients entrust their lives to you; the Government entrusts you with the responsibility of treating illnesses and protecting public health. This is a most honorable duty. Therefore, a doctor must love and care for patients as if they were their own family, sharing in their pain as if it were their own. A doctor must be like a gentle mother.”

His moral example and profound thoughts on healthcare have become the guiding principles for all medical professionals across Vietnam, including those in Lang Son. Inspired by his teachings, the province’s health sector has grown and contributed significantly to safeguarding and improving public health over the past 70 years.

Founded in 1948 in Keo Coong, Binh Gia district, the Lang Son Health Department was initially tasked with establishing a provincial medical station to provide both accommodation and medical services for the Cao – Bac – Lang campaign while also caring for local residents. While human and material resources were to serve the battle, facing the overwhelming difficulties and shortages, the sector remained committed to treating wounded soldiers and preventing disease outbreaks.

Throughout the wars against the French colonists and American imperialists, Lang Son’s healthcare sector endured immense hardship and sacrifice but never wavered in its mission. Regardless of the circumstances, President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings on medical ethics, responsibility, and dedication to patients remained the guiding light for generations of healthcare workers in the province.

Today, with the self-reliance and support from the central government, Lang Son has established an extensive healthcare network covering the entire province. This includes four provincial hospitals, one medical college, five provincial health centers, 11 district health centers, and 194 commune-level medical stations. The province has 2,762 hospital beds, averaging 34 beds per 10,000 people. Additionally, 100% of commune health stations meet national healthcare standards. The sector has mobilized various resources to build new facilities, upgrade infrastructure, procure modern medical equipment, and enhance professional training.

The Party Committee and leaders of the Department of Health have consistently emphasized the importance of learning and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality, and style to all doctors and medical staffs. This has been integrated into industry-wide emulation movements, such as adherence to the 12 Medical Ethics Principles and 10 Pharmaceutical Ethics Principles, improving service attitudes and developing "green, clean, and beautiful" healthcare facilities. Every year, 100% of Party members, officials, and employees register to study and apply Ho Chi Minh’s teachings in their daily work, transitioning from "learning" to "practicing" his principles through meaningful and practical actions.

Building a highly skilled and ethically sound medical workforce remains a top priority in the mission to protect public health. To achieve this, the sector has implemented multiple strategies, including infrastructure upgrades, equipment modernization, and training programs for technology transfer. Many advanced and specialized medical techniques have been successfully applied across healthcare facilities. Currently, Lang Son’s health sector employs over 3,460 personnel, including one People's Doctor, 44 Distinguished Doctors, 44 Level-II specialists, and 240 Level-I specialists. The province now has 11.4 doctors and 2.5 university-level pharmacists per 10,000 residents, and 100% of commune-level medical stations have assigned doctors.

Beyond improving facilities and human resources, the sector has also made significant progress in administrative reform, digital transformation, and IT applications, streamlining medical services for public convenience.

Additionally, the attitude and working style of healthcare staff have also undergone positive changes, placing patients at the center and always demonstrating dedication and commitment in their work. As a result, patient satisfaction rates now exceed 80%, and hospital service quality continues to improve year after year.

By implementing breakthrough solutions such as studying and applying Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, moral and styles, strengthening political and ethical education, administrative reform, and IT-driven management, the province’s medical workforce has become more dedicated and compassionate in serving the people.

Consequently, the quality of medical examinations and treatments has significantly improved. Many advanced techniques from central hospitals have been successfully applied at Lang Son General Hospital. Eight out of ten district health centers now provide at least 80% of the medical services designated for district-level facilities. Several specialized procedures, such as dialysis, laparoscopic surgery, and phacoemulsification cataract surgery, are now available at the district level.

Moving forward, the Department of Health will continue to integrate President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings into its core strategies, expanding exemplary models and innovative initiatives to foster a culture of excellence within the sector. The goal is to build a compassionate and dedicated medical workforce committed to serving the people.

Over the past 70 years, Lang Son’s health sector has upheld its tradition of following Uncle Ho’s teachings with solidarity, determination, and innovation. With these achievements as a foundation, the sector remains committed to improving professional competence, strengthening medical ethics, and overcoming challenges to fulfill its noble mission. By doing so, Lang Son’s healthcare professionals will continue to live up to the trust and expectations of the Party, the government, and the people.