“Since then, thinking of my father has no longer instilled a sense of sadness but pride in me. I am proud that even though my father is no longer in this world, his presence is still “felt” in how education and training of future physicians is conducted”. These are some thoughts shared by Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Huong, whose father donated his body to those in need at Vietnam Military Medical University at the end of 2019.

Gratitude to “The unknown teacher”

On the morning of December 21^st, the Vietnam Military Medical University (hereafter VMMU) held a Gratitude Ritual for those who donated their bodies for medical purposes. According to Lieutenant General, Prof. Tran Viet Tien – Director of VMMU, the University has recently received many bodies of people who donated to serve as specimens for training and scientific research purposes.

To date, VMMU has received letters from hundreds of donors and issued registration cards to them after their deaths to serve that noble purpose… This unspoken sacrifice has aided VMMU in its training of thousands of physicians and medical staff for the Vietnamese Health sector in general and that of the Army in particular, which contributing to the treatment and revival of countless patients.

Lieutenant General, Prof. Tran Viet Tien – Director of the Vietnam Military Medical University presented Words of Gratitude to individuals who registered to donate their bodies.

According to Lieutenant General, Prof. Tien, the donors including physicians, lecturers, medical staff and students, especially anatomists, have clearly recognized the indispensable roles of donated human bodies in providing guidance for their personal development and career paths.

“They are simply ordinary people, but with thoughts and desires for dedication, commitment and donation for the serving of medical training and healthcare purposes when presenting themselves at VMMU. Their bodies are like a gift for life”, expressed by the Director of VMMU.

Representatives as leaders and students of VMMU laid flowers to pay tribute to those who donated their bodies for medical purposes.

“”We strive to become physicians who are always devoted to the sick and to the care for people’s health, so as not to fall short of the expectations and unspoken dedication of the respected “unknown teachers”, said Sergeant Huyen.

Sergeant Do Thi Huyen, a student of class DH56D, shared with the Tien Phong reporter that those bodies and role models are truly valuable testimonies, providing medical students when entering the world of modern medicine with the opportunity to learn and conduct in-depth research.

In her opinion, there were times when, on her arduous medical path, in the midst of a busy and worrying life, she remembered the “unknown teachers” and the human values ​​and ethics that they have ignited in each student.

It is like a reminder that we must make more efforts and acquire more knowledge so that when the time has come, these will bring back joys and new life to the patients.

Pride

As one of the people registering to donate the body, Ms. Ngo Thi Suu (living and working in Ha Dong, Hanoi) said that she was inspired by her own sister, who has donated blood 36 times.

“I thought to myself that donating my body was probably too small compared to how devoted the doctors and nurses have been to their career and to the noble cause of national medicine. In my family, there are 3 people who have successfully registered for body donation and 5 people with organ transplantation,” shared by Ms. Suu.

People registering to donate their bodies, and the relatives of those donating their bodies lay flowers to pay tribute to the previous donors for medical purposes.

As for Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Huong, her father donated his body to those in need at VMMU at the end of 2019.

“I still have a vivid recollection of the moment my father announced this decision to the family. At first, I was surprised, even a bit confused, and then I cried a lot because I loved my father. However, after that, when he clarified his reasons, I realized that it was not only a personal wish but also a noble gift for the society,” said Ms. Huong.

“Since then, thinking of my father has no longer instilled a sense of sadness but pride in me. I am proud that even though my father is no longer in this world, his presence is still “felt” in how education and training of future physicians is conducted”, also shared by Ms. Huong.

News and photos by Chau Linh, Translator: Nguyen Tuan Anh