Department of General Internal Medicine

INTRODUCTION

1. History and Development

The Department of General Internal Medicine is one of the clinical departments established from the very first days of Tra Vinh General Hospital's operation. Through many years of building and development, the department has continuously enhanced its professional capacity, expanded its scale and invested in high-quality human resources.

In 2025: Received the transfer of advanced endoscopic techniques from Japanese experts.
On 22/04/2026: Officially established the Endoscopy Unit under the department, helping to raise the quality of diagnosis and treatment.

2. Functions and Duties

The department is responsible for the examination, diagnosis, treatment and comprehensive care of patients with internal medicine conditions:

Areas of specialized strength: Gastroenterology and Hematology.
Disease groups treated: Infectious diseases, allergies, poisoning and other internal medicine conditions in accordance with the professional referral levels.
Key techniques: Implementation of advanced diagnostic and interventional therapeutic endoscopy techniques.

3. Role and Patients Served

Role: As the main internal medicine treatment unit of Tra Vinh General Hospital, the department handles a large number of patients, helping to improve treatment quality and reduce referral rates.
Patients served: Inpatients and outpatients in Tra Vinh Province and neighboring areas, including a large number of Khmer ethnic people.

4. Department Highlights

Always putting patients at the center.
A team of experienced, dynamic and dedicated doctors.
Regularly receives direct technology transfer from leading experts of the Vietnam Inter-Branch Association of Digestive Endoscopy and Japan.
Actively contributing to healthcare for the people of the province and the Mekong Delta region.

PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS

1. Techniques Currently Performed

In-depth diagnosis and treatment of conditions in Gastroenterology, Hematology and General internal medicine.
Diagnostic endoscopy: Upper and lower gastrointestinal tract.
Interventional & therapeutic endoscopy:
- Diagnosis and treatment of early gastrointestinal cancer.
- Endoscopic hemostasis.
- Endoscopic foreign body removal.
- Gastrointestinal polypectomy.
Multidisciplinary consultation: Regular multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize treatment regimens and minimize unnecessary referrals.

2. Advanced Techniques Planned for Implementation

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
Endoscopic retrograde removal of bile duct stones.
Endoscopic biliary stent placement.
Endoscopic ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract (EUS).

TRAINING & RESEARCH

A reputable clinical training site: Each year, the department receives and trains more than 100 medical and nursing students.
International cooperation & experts: During 2024 – 2026, the department has continuously received technology transfer from Japanese experts and leading experts of the Vietnam Inter-Branch Association of Endoscopy.
Enhancing professional capacity: Doctors and nurses regularly attend in-depth training courses and actively serve as members of the Executive Committee of the Mekong Delta Inter-Branch Association of Gastroenterology and as members of the Ho Chi Minh City Inter-Branch Association of Gastroenterology...

EQUIPMENT

The department has been invested in spacious, well-equipped and modern facilities:

Scale: 80 beds, including 10 emergency beds fully equipped with monitoring devices.
Endoscopy system: 03 endoscopy rooms with 03 new-generation endoscopy systems, along with numerous endoscopes and modern electrosurgical instruments.
Support & emergency equipment: Central oxygen system, syringe pumps, continuous vital-sign monitors, electrocardiograph (ECG) machines and other specialized emergency equipment.

STAFF

Total staff: 39 staff members (15 Doctors and 24 Nurses).

1. Team Capabilities

Medical team: Highly qualified, including 01 Specialist Doctor Grade II (CKII), 05 Specialist Doctors Grade I (CKI), 01 Master – Resident Doctor, along with many doctors currently enrolled in postgraduate programs.
Nursing team: Dedicated and experienced, always accompanying patients and caring for them attentively throughout their treatment.

2. Department Leadership

2.1 Specialist Doctor Grade II Phan Qui Duc – Head of Department

Directly leads the department's professional activities.
Head of the Endoscopy Unit, Tra Vinh General Hospital.
An experienced doctor who guides the development of advanced techniques and the improvement of medical care quality.

2.2 Specialist Doctor Grade I Kim Thi Ngoc Minh – Deputy Head of Department

An experienced specialist in Hematology.
Participates in managing and directing the department's professional activities.

2.3 Bachelor of Nursing Phung Thi My Doan – Head Nurse

Manages patient care, staff assignments and the coordination of nursing activities.
Manages medical equipment; leads quality improvement activities through scientific research and thematic reports.