(VOVworld) – Twenty four patients in the Dioxin Treatment Department of the Da Nang victims under the Hanoi Military Hospital 103 are the first people living around Da Nang airport  recently being confirmed to have been exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin (AO). They are provided with free detoxification treatment using the Hubbard method which has been successfully applied for victims of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe in Ukraine. Today, VOV’s Lan Anh will take you to the Department to learn more about Hubbard method.

Vo Duoc (second from left) and 18 members in his family were found to be contaminated with dioxin.

The Department includes a row of simple but tidy houses. Apart from some workrooms for doctors and specialists, the remaining is bathrooms and steam-baths for patients’ treatment. Doctor Nguyen Ba Vuong, supervisor of the detoxification department, said the Hubbard method is based on detoxification through perspiration, digestion, and urination. Vuong elaborated the Hubbard method ‘The method is based on three main criteria: exercising, steam-bathing, and an appropriate nutrition regimen. Before taking the detoxification program, patients will have to do medical check-up. Those who used to be mentally ill, pregnant women, those suffering from either liver or gall diseases, those having anaemia, and contagious diseases cannot undergo this treatment.’

Every day, a common therapy for all 24 patients begins with running for 30 minutes to make the blood circulate smoothly and activate the whole body to release toxic substances out of the body. The next step is to have steam-bath. Doctor Vuong said ‘The patients often take steam-baths for four hours and a half a day at the temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Celsius. When they feel suffocated, they can go out to have cool water bath and then come back to steam-bath again. In between the shifts, they will have fruits and vitamin. Our steam-bath rooms are clean so they can either lie or sit.’

These are the two initial steps in the dioxin detoxification process that Military Hospital 103 is applying for the 24 patients from Da Nang. Dang Huong Giang is Director in charge of the Hubbard transfer of the Association for Better Living and Education, ABLE, in Asia – Pacific ‘The method is simple but must be implemented precisely. Once you can follow it strictly, it will bring in a surprised result. The method is simple as the program only requires sufficient sleeping, an appropriate nutrition regimen with not-well-cooked vegetable, and intake of vitamin of high remedy which Vietnam has not yet produced. One of the most important vitamins is B3 which in combination with running will help to release toxic substances out of the body.’

In 2010, the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin worked with the ABLE to use the Hubbard method to treat more than 600 patients in Thai Binh Detoxification Centre. The establishment of additional Dioxin Treatment Department of the Military Hospital 103 will offer more opportunities to improve the lives of AO victims nationwide. Major-General, Associate Professor Hoang Manh An, the Hospital’s Director, said ‘The Defense Ministry and Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin have planned to build two detoxification centers in the hospital. But we have only put one of them into operation. The first 24 residents living around Da nang airport who are likely to expose to the toxic chemical most have been isolated from their living environment for about 10 days. They then will experience a blood test. If the amount of dioxin is lowered, the treatment method is effective.’

Dinh Thi Mai, 57 years old living in Hai Chau ward, said she feels more secure to know that she will be treated in Hanoi and the hospital will create the best possible conditions. Mai commented on her 10 days of treatment ‘In the past, my heels were chapped; my hands often turned stiff and I was easy to get sore throat when the weather changed. Now the symtons have reduced. Doctors and nurses in the hospital are enthusiastic. In the first days, I vomited and had headache but now feel OK. I have few red rashes and itching. Depending on each person, but after a day, we have to inform the doctors how we feel. Today I’m comfortable when I leave the steam-bath room. ’

Vietnam now has about 4.5 million people exposed to AO/Dioxin.

Lan Anh