A father, H.V.C. (born 1960), is struggling with tens of millions of dong in hospital bills after a traffic accident that landed him in a life-threatening situation for over a month. The unfortunate accident occurred near the Lunar New Year, adding further hardship to his family’s life.
Injuries and the Fleeing Driver
According to Mrs. L., Mr. C.’s wife, the accident happened while he was taking his daughter to school. The driver who struck Mr. C. fled the scene, leaving him to tend to his injuries without timely medical attention. His wounds worsened, accompanied by jaw stiffness, until his entire body became rigid, forcing Mrs. L. to rush him to the hospital in critical condition.
Severe Tetanus and Extended Treatment
At the Ho Chi Minh City Tropical Disease Hospital, Mr. C. was diagnosed with severe, systemic tetanus. The extended treatment required numerous sedatives, muscle relaxants, and intensive interventions, resulting in over 80 million dong in medical expenses.
Financial Hardship and Mounting Debt
Mr. C.’s family faces extreme financial hardship, with Mrs. L. also battling metastatic cancer. Despite using up their savings, they have only managed to pay 13 million dong as a deposit, leaving a debt of over 70 million dong.
Dangerous Complications and Prevention
Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Trung, Head of the Adult Intensive Care and Poison Control Department at the Ho Chi Minh City Tropical Disease Hospital, emphasizes tetanus as a preventable disease. Completing vaccination (before injury) or using anti-tetanus serum (after injury) are crucial preventative measures. Furthermore, seeking immediate medical attention for injuries is vital to avoid potential complications. Tetanus complications, including autonomic nervous system disorders, respiratory failure, or cardiovascular problems, can be severe, particularly for the elderly.
Conclusion:
Mr. H.V.C.’s story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of traffic accidents and the importance of tetanus prevention. Joint efforts between the public and medical facilities are essential to minimizing such unfortunate complications. Social support is crucial for Mr. C.’s family during this challenging time.
