HCMC doctors brave rough seas at night to rescue Russian crew member suspected of stroke

In an extraordinary medical rescue, doctors from FV Hospital braved treacherous night seas to save a Russian crew member suspected of having a stroke. On August 4, it was announced that the 46-year-old patient, Vakhitov Rena, had been discharged in stable condition after two weeks of treatment and rehabilitation. In mid-July 2026, the Emergency and Trauma Department received an urgent call from a maritime agency regarding the sudden onset of weakness and paralysis on one side of the man's body, indicating a possible stroke.

A medical team comprising a doctor and a male nurse departed from Ho Chi Minh City that night for Cau Da Port in Vung Tau, equipped with emergency medicines and life-saving medical supplies.

Navigating a distance of over 40 nautical miles through rough seas, the team reached the container ship at Buoy No. 0, the boundary between Vietnamese waters and the international shipping lane. Battling waves up to 2-3 meters high, the medical personnel climbed a rope ladder onto the ship amidst the storm. With no fixed gangway, they were lowered onto the vessel using a rope ladder from a height of approximately 10 meters.

The patient, conscious but in need of immediate medical attention, was transferred to the speedboat and then to the Cau Da Port, where he was promptly taken to the hospital. Upon arrival, a CT scan confirmed an intracerebral hematoma, and doctors prioritized blood pressure control, treatment to reduce cerebral edema, and close monitoring before deciding on surgery.

After a successful operation, the patient showed improvement, regaining consciousness and leg movement within days. Nearly two weeks of comprehensive care led to his discharge on July 30, returning to Russia in stable condition. The patient expressed deep gratitude to the medical team for their bravery in rescuing him from the perilous sea.