Tourist Thanks HCM City Emergency Services for Their Support

A visitor to Ho Chi Minh City has expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Department of Health for the prompt and professional assistance received from the emergency hotline two weeks prior.

On the morning of September 13, the 115 Emergency Center received an urgent call from a distressed foreign woman. Hoang Thi Tho, the operator on duty, reported that the caller was in a state of panic, speaking in English.

Realizing the caller was trapped in a hotel bathroom alone, Tho focused on calming her down while gathering crucial details. It appeared there was no immediate danger or health issue; her panic stemmed from being stuck for an extended period.

After obtaining the necessary details, Tho enlisted the help of Dr. Dong Ngoc Hien, the chief on duty, who continued to provide support remotely. He carefully assessed the situation to ensure there were no serious injuries and prioritized locating the caller.

As the conversation continued, the tourist began to regain her composure and recalled the name of the motel where she was staying. The operator quickly pinpointed the motel’s location, contacted their hotline, and relayed the situation to them. The hotel staff, aware there were three branches, quickly alerted their network to assist in locating the tourist.

Through ongoing communication, the operator successfully reassured the caller. In just 15 minutes, thanks to effective collaboration with the hotel, the tourist was safely found.

The swift actions and effective communication from the emergency response team made a significant impact, leading the grateful tourist to urge that their commendable service be recognized.

As part of a broader initiative to enhance emergency services for foreign visitors by 2030, the 115 hotline will undergo improvements to transform into an advanced emergency reception and coordination center. This will involve equipping dispatchers with new technology, including caller location tracking and enhanced English communication tools.