Korean man awakens from 80-day coma and returns home after year at FV Hospital

Forty-two-year-old patient Y.S. suffered a stroke and was in a coma for 80 days. He was miraculously revived by FV Hospital.

In the following year, without family, the medical team at FV Hospital continued to take care until the patient recovered and could communicate. FV also coordinated with the South Korean Consulate to repatriate him successfully.

The South Korean Consulate expressed deep gratitude to the FV team for placing ‘human life above all else’.

The FV medical team cared for Korean patient Y.S. for a year

One year ago, patient Y.S. was found in a coma at his apartment after missing work of two days, surrounded by body fluids with no signs of awareness, just faint breathing and a heartbeat.

An MRI showed extensive brain haemorrhaging. With no family and no consent for surgery, the medical team had to choose between saving the patient or following procedures.

“I asked the attending physician about the survival chances if we operated. The doctor said there was a small chance, but no certainty. That was enough reason for us to act,” said Vu Truong Son, FV Hospital’s medical director.

Despite no family support or a guarantee for medical costs, FV decided to operate.

“When I knew the patient was around 42 years old, I thought he could be a father, a husband, a son, a business owner, or an ordinary employee. Regardless of who he was, there must have been loved ones waiting for his return. Therefore, for us healthcare professionals, the only thing to do at that moment was to give our all to save his life,” Son said.

After surgery, the patient remained in a coma, and FV made efforts to contact his family. When his elderly father learned of the situation, he lost hope. However, FV Hospital didn’t give up because as long as the patient was breathing, there was a chance.

In his vegetative state, the patient's health fluctuated, with several life-threatening infections. Treatment involved a multidisciplinary team from intensive care, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, nutrition, and physical therapy. Then, the miracle occurred: after 80 days, the patient regained consciousness.

He showed remarkable neurological recovery and could understand English, Korean, and Vietnamese.

Over time, he could raise his right hand, grasp objects, and communicate with the medical staff through eye contact and gestures.

This recovery was due to the FV nursing team’s dedication, providing care around the clock with strict protocols and patience.

After 80 days in a coma, the patient made a remarkable recovery thanks to the intensive care provided by FV Hospital

“We treated him like family, turning him, bathing him, and changing his nappies regularly. Even when he couldn’t speak, we talked to him, joked with him, and encouraged responses. Every small improvement was a reward for the whole team,” said chief nurse Chu Thi Nguyet Anh.

FV also worked with the South Korean Consulate to arrange his return home, as a full recovery would only be possible among his family and community.

This process wasn’t simple. According to South Korean Consulate Attaché Joo Myong Hi, the biggest challenge was that patient S. had lived in Vietnam for 13 years, so his health insurance had expired.

No South Korean hospital would accept him, delaying his repatriation. While the consulate worked with medical facilities in South Korea, FV continued his care.

After many efforts, the consulate found a hospital in South Korea willing to accept patient S. “We worked with relevant agencies to find an appropriate hospital, and we succeeded”, said Joo Myong Hi.

When the Korean patient learned he would soon return home, he couldn’t hide his joy. On the eve of departure, he wrote his email address and phone number on a piece of tissue, his trembling handwriting deeply moving the FV staff.

“The email address he wrote with shaking hands touched us all. It seemed he wanted to thank us and keep in touch,” said nurse Nguyet Anh.

To ensure his safety, FV assigned nurse Sang to accompany patient S. on his journey. Nurse Sang’s luggage for the flight included medical supplies and medication in case of emergencies.

During the flight, nurse Sang monitored the patient’s blood pressure and watched for any signs of discomfort. The patient was nervous but excited about returning home.

“When the plane ascended and the pressure changed, the patient became a bit fearful. I reassured him and asked a Korean flight attendant to talk to him and explain the situation, which helped everything go smoothly,” Sang shared.

A representative from the South Korean Consulate expressed gratitude to the FV Hospital medical team

After arranging patient S.’s return, the South Korean Consulate visited FV Hospital on May 12 to thank the medical team.

Kwon Tae Han, deputy consul general of South Korea, expressed profound gratitude for FV Hospital’s compassionate care.

“FV Hospital places human life above all else. This represents the highest value and the sacred mission of the medical profession,” said Kwon.

In Kwon's words, this humanitarian story strengthens the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

“This is a beautiful ending, witnessing the patient’s happiness as he returns home. That is worth more than anything. For us doctors, our happiness comes from doing everything we can to give a patient a chance at life, even with just a glimmer of hope,” Son shared.

FV Hospital and O2 Healthcare Group set up first regional Thoracic Surgery Centre FV Hospital, a member of Thomson Medical Group, signed a memorandum of cooperation on August 15 with Singapore's O2 Healthcare Group, a member of OUE Healthcare Limited, to set up the first regional Thoracic Surgery Centre in Vietnam.

Sustainable dynamics for improved patient access Global healthcare company Viatris is extending its worldwide impact and strengthening a firm commitment to healthcare access in Vietnam. Radhika Bhalla, head in Vietnam and Asia Alliance Markets for Viatris, talked to VIR’s Bich Thuy about the development strategy for contributing more.

Multinationals eye hospital segment Multinational corporations are expanding the availability of drugs in the hospital segment in anticipation of growing demand and higher profits.