Du Luu, a fourth year TSU Pharmacy student, recently returned from a medical mission to Vietnam. This mission trip was organized by Deacon Michael Nguyen of the Our Lady of Lavang Church, and Hope Initiative to provide medical screenings to poor areas of Vietnam. The medical party consisted of a general surgeon, a family doctor, two optometrists, a speech therapist, and volunteers from non-medical fields as well as college students.
According to Du Luu, “I was the only person on the team with a pharmacy background, so I was put in charge of the medications. I was able to counsel the patients on proper use of the medication, speak to them about any adverse effects to watch for, and educate them further when needed.” Although the days were long and the line of patients seemed longer, the experience I received was invaluable. The happiness I felt from helping patients was well worth the tiredness, cold, and aches after a hard day’s work. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and look forward to going again in the future. Going on this mission trip has opened my eyes and helped me see how lucky I am to have so many opportunities and appreciate all that I have.”
Going on this mission trip has opened my eyes and helped me see how lucky I am to have so many opportunities and appreciate all that I have.”
Mission participants were able to provide medical screenings at four different locations, averaging two days each. At each location the patients had a choice of either medical or eye screening. After seeing the doctors, patients would bring their prescriptions to the pharmacy to get their medication. Doctors were limited to the medication in stock, and mainly provided antibiotics, anti-hypertensive’s, antacids, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and vitamins. After receiving their medication, the patients would then receive a small monetary gift from the mission team (about 2 US dollars) before heading home.
The Vietnam Medical Trip was a collaborative effort among Hope Initiative and doctors from the University of Houston College of Optometry, and Baylor College of Medicine to provide medical relief and humanitarian aids for the unfortunate people and orphans in various region of Vietnam. This program provides the unique hand-on experience in working with doctors, optometrists, and other volunteers to affect direct assistance to Vietnamese people.
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