2 Laotians get life-saving treatment at AMC in Seoul

Asan Medical Center (AMC), one of the largest tertiary hospitals in Seoul, said it successfully treated two patients from Laos - Ya Xiong, a 37-year-old woman diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and Xaysavat Ve, a 19-year-old woman with congenital heart disease.

The hospital stated that Xiong had been experiencing discomfort due to a lump in her neck for some time. However, as she was working as a farmer in the mountains and struggling to make ends meet, she was unable to seek medical treatment.

However, she heard hopeful news that Korean doctors were offering free treatment at a nearby city's provincial hospital and rushed to receive an exam.

Given the poor medical conditions in Laos, the AMC medical volunteers brought an ultrasound machine from Korea and were able to examine Xiong and found a tumor in Xiong's neck.

Professor Kang Woo-seok from the Department of Otolaryngology at AMC diagnosed Xiong's condition and concluded that she needed surgery. However, as it was challenging to even perform a biopsy in Laos, let alone cancer surgery, Kang decided to transfer Xiong to Korea for treatment.

Xiong finally arrived at AMC in Seoul on April 7 and underwent a thorough examination.

The tests showed that her thyroid cancer was very advanced and at risk of invading her nerves.

If left untreated, the cancer could have invaded her esophagus, altering her voice and making it difficult for her to eat.

Fortunately, Professor Lee Yoon-se of the Department of Otolaryngology at AMC successfully performed thyroid cancer removal surgery on April 11, and Xiong recovered quickly after the surgery and left for her home country on Monday.

"It is a miracle that I met the AMC healthcare professionals," Xiong said. "I am grateful to the AMC healthcare professionals for their good care and can't wait to see my six children in Laos."

Meanwhile, Xaysavat Ve, who had a ventricular septal defect since birth, was also transferred to Gangneung Asan Medical Center and underwent surgery to close the defect on April 14, by Professor Bo Bae-jeon of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at the hospital.

Ve was already long overdue for surgery, and her heart was much larger than normal.

To ensure Ve's successful surgery, Professor Yoon Tae-jin Yoon of the Department of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at AMC traveled to Gangneung Asan Hospital to assist in the surgery. Ve recovered well and returned to her family in Laos with Xiong.

The Asan Foundation and Asan Medical Center fully funded the medical expenses and airfare for the two Laotian patients.

The two treatments were made possible after an AMC medical volunteer team traveled to Oudomxay Province in Laos from Feb. 18 to 25.

AMC stressed that Oudomxay is a province with a poor medical environment and a lack of medical insurance system.

As a result, many residents are unable to receive proper medical treatment in time.

A total of 62 people, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and administrative staff, participated in the medical volunteer program in Laos.

The volunteers, who were experts in their respective fields, treated a total of 1,980 patients in Laos. They treated a variety of conditions, including gastroenterology, respiratory medicine, and otolaryngology, and performed 18 surgical procedures, 20 cataract surgeries, and 27 eye procedures. They also performed 14 endoscopies, 241 ultrasounds, and 50 electrocardiograms.