Devote Yourself

Originally published on Naenara – naenara.com.kp .

It was when Choe Sung Jun, deputy director of the Tumour Institute of the Academy of Medical Sciences was conducting outreach health service activities at the February 8 Jiktong Youth Coal Mine several years ago.

One day, a woman supported by her family members came to see him.

She complained she felt heavy in her chest, breathed with difficulty and found it hard to walk. While making an examination, he discovered an abscess in her body. Her lungs were already compressed from the top and there was necrosis in her leg.

He had never seen a case with such a huge tumour in the retroperitoneum even though he specialized in tumour treatment for a long time. He could not be sure how long the patient could survive.

The patient looked at him who was trying to calm himself down and find words to sympathize her, and said earnestly: “Could you help me fulfil my duty to the country as a scientist? I implore you, doctor. Even a bit longer…” He was moved to tears by her appeal that showed her noble civic conscience. He thought to himself: I will cure the patient who devoted her all to increasing coal production and her pure conscience should be protected. He collected himself and said smilingly to the patient that the disease could be treated so that the patient could receive treatment with easy mindset.

First-aid measures and operation plans were discussed in the field consultative meeting which was held instantly and he became the operator himself. The palm-sweating operation lasted for six hours and was finally successful. The patient who had been in a critical condition recovered her health in over 50 days thanks to the heartfelt sincerity of the medical staff.

His treatment success not just caused a great sensation in the medical circles and but impressed the general public. Not only family members of the patient but many other people sent him letters of thanks. However, the miraculous success was not achieved easily.

It was a product of his painstaking efforts and passion. He has concentrated his efforts in the treatment and research at the institute for over 30 years after graduating from Pyongyang University of Medical Sciences. He spent time trying to possess accurate diagnostic and high operation skills on tumours that appear in several internal organs and parts of body. During that period he once conducted mock operations over a hundred times in one day.

It was not all. He wrote many valuable papers and authored books on tumour treatment research to contribute to the medical development of the country and the promotion of the people’s health.

He leads new-generation researchers with his high medical techniques, ample knowledge and rich experience. He always says to them: People could feel the gratitude of the socialist public health system through the medical workers. You should become true medical workers who could devote your all for the valuable life of human.