(PL)- Tạ Minh Tuấn plans to upgrade the family doctor model so that everyone can receive early disease screening, rather than finding out only when cancer strikes.
The family doctor clinic at District 5 Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City) opens, with five patients sitting orderly in the waiting chairs. After the doctor finishes examining them, another group arrives a little later. There is no overcrowding or backlog as at many other places.
Ms. Lâm Lục Huệ (54 years old, Alley 2/2, Lò Siêu Street) says she has been registered with Dr. Trần Văn Nghĩa at District 5 Hospital for over a year. She says: “Dr. Nghĩa monitors me thoroughly. When I visit, he asks whether my dizziness has improved. He knows exactly what illnesses I have and advises me very carefully. He then prescribed medication to help me sleep well. Now my dizziness is gone, and my other illnesses have gone too.”
Doctors and patients as close as family
Ms. Huệ says that since joining the family doctor model, she has felt very reassured and close to her doctor, like family. Minor ailments are treated early. “If I go to other hospitals, I have to sit and wait, and every visit requires starting the tests over again,” she says.
Dr. Trần Văn Nghĩa, Head of the Family Medicine Clinic Department at District 5 Hospital, says patients can choose which doctor to “follow.” They have the doctors’ schedules, so when they want a consultation, they simply book a time. “Patients feel reassured because minor illnesses are addressed early, without worrying about referral to a higher-level hospital. For difficult cases, the University Medical Center holds online consultations with us,” he says.
According to Dr. Nghĩa, District 5 Hospital implemented the family doctor model more than a decade ago, but had to suspend it because of difficulties.
Dr. Trần Văn Nghĩa examining a patient at the Family Medicine Clinic of District 5 Hospital. Photo: H.MINH
Then, at a seminar, he happened to meet Tạ Minh Tuấn, and they discussed collaborating to implement this model. Tuấn's company referred patients to hospitals offering the family doctor model. At that time, the city also approved the direction of implementing the family doctor model.
After more than three years of implementation, the family doctor model has operated steadily in many hospitals and gained patients’ support. Patients and doctors are as close as family.
From a father's illness…
Tạ Minh Tuấn is 28 this year and previously studied at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. He is known as the first person to successfully build a “family doctor” model in Vietnam, under the name HELP International.
Nearly a decade ago, Tuấn's father developed cancer, almost devastating the whole family. He then understood more clearly the importance of “prevention is better than cure.” Most patients arrive at the hospital when illness has become dangerous. Regular checkups help people protect their health and save costs, while easing treatment pressure on doctors at higher-level hospitals.
Rising above the pain, Tuấn conceived a healthcare system connecting patients and doctors based on an overseas model, raising public awareness of disease prevention.
HELP was established and gradually connected with many hospitals. HELP advises and introduces patients to family doctors, helping them maintain that relationship for the rest of their lives.
Tuấn said he is preparing the next step, called “HELP 2.0,” a more complete version with stronger marketing and communications.
He said: “Hospitals have medical expertise but are not yet strong in the market. Even if a clinic opens, people will not come for consultations if they do not understand the model’s benefits. HELP will eliminate a great deal of waste for society.”
He says that once his work with the HELP 2.0 project has run its full course, he will focus on training young people in entrepreneurship.
| Tạ Minh Tuấn is one of Asia's 30 most outstanding young people under 30, selected by the magazine Forbes recent recognition. After being Forbes honored, Tuấn avoided extensive contact with the press because he wanted to focus on doing more rather than talking. He said, ‘I want to share with young people, but in many other ways.’ Tuấn shares his ideas on Facebook and gives many talks to university students.
Tạ Minh Tuấn (far left) discusses entrepreneurship with young people. Photo: H.MINH Besides running HELP, Tuấn currently also runs the YUP Entrepreneurship and Leadership Institute he founded. Successful relatively early at 28, Tuấn reflected: “Earlier in my entrepreneurial journey, I was stressed for a long time. Now I have learned to appreciate the beauty of the path I am walking and find greater balance…” Savings and peace of mind Ever since learning about the family medicine clinic at District 5 Hospital, my whole family has been going there. The doctor knows the patients' medical histories by heart, and I feel very reassured because all conditions are screened for from the outset. We have saved a great deal on treatment costs. The doctor always advises that prevention is better than cure. Ms. HOÀNG THỊ CẨM TIÊN, |
HỒNG MINH
Original article: http://plo.vn/giao-duc/khoi-nghiep-tu-noi-dau-621830.html
