Hope Found in Korea... Health Recovery of Thyroid Cancer and Heart Disease Patients in Remote Areas of Laos

Patients in remote areas of Laos suffering from thyroid cancer and heart disease, who could not even dream of going to a hospital, were given new hope in Korea.

Seoul Asan Medical Center announced that Ya Siong (37), a thyroid cancer patient, and Sai Sawat Wes (19), a congenital heart disease patient, whom they met during medical volunteer work in Laos at the end of February, were safely treated in Korea and returned to Laos on the 24th.

Siong had felt a lump in his neck for some time and was anxious, but living a hard life as a slash-and-burn farmer in a mountain area where bodies are buried, he had no choice but to give up visiting a hospital. Then, upon hearing that medical staff from Korea were offering free medical care, he rushed to the city’s provincial hospital. Considering the poor medical environment in Laos, the Seoul Asan Medical Center volunteer team brought an ultrasound machine and was able to conduct an examination. The ultrasound revealed a tumor in Siong’s neck.

Ya Xiongxi, who underwent thyroid cancer surgery in Korea with the help of the Seoul Asan Medical Center volunteer medical team, is taking a commemorative photo with the medical staff.
[Photo by Seoul Asan Medical Center]

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Professor Kang Woo-seok of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology judged that surgery was necessary, but since even a biopsy was difficult to perform properly in Laos, it was decided to transfer him to Korea for treatment. Siong, who arrived in Korea on the 7th of this month, underwent detailed examinations, which confirmed that the thyroid cancer had progressed significantly and posed a high risk of invading the nerves. If delayed further, it could have invaded the esophagus, causing voice changes and difficulties in eating. Fortunately, surgery led by Professor Lee Yoon-se of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology was successfully performed on the 11th, and Siong, who recovered quickly, left for Laos that day. Siong expressed his gratitude, saying, "Meeting the medical staff at Seoul Asan Medical Center was a miracle" and "I want to quickly show my six children in Laos a healthy mother."

Wes, who had suffered from ventricular septal defect since birth, was transferred to Gangneung Asan Hospital and underwent surgery to close the defect on the 14th, performed by Professor Jeon Bo-bae of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. The surgery was long overdue, and his heart was much enlarged compared to normal. Professor Yoon Tae-jin of the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Department at Seoul Asan Medical Center also visited Gangneung Asan Hospital to assist with the surgery. Wes also recovered smoothly and returned to his family in Laos. The treatment costs and airfare for these patients were fully supported by the Asan Social Welfare Foundation and Seoul Asan Medical Center.

This treatment was made possible by the overseas medical volunteer work of the Seoul Asan Medical Center volunteer team, which resumed after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The volunteer team visited the Udomxay region of Laos from February 18 to 25 and carried out volunteer activities. The team, consisting of 62 members including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and administrative staff, cared for a total of 1,980 patients locally in Laos.

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