Stephen Cameron, a 43-year-old British pilot who has been the most severe novel coronavirus (COVID-19) case in Vietnam, is scheduled to be repatriated to his native UK on July 12 on the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner he used to fly, as soon as he receives a discharge from hospital.
Examining the British patient's reaction ability at Cho Ray hospital
The Ministry of Health has devised a detailed plan in an effort to ensure the patient’s health and safety during the long journey.
Cameron, who has been dubbed patient 91, is set to be released from Ho Chi Minh City’s Cho Ray hospital on July 11. He will then be transferred to Hanoi the same day where he will complete a short stay before boarding the Vietnam Airlines Dreamliner that is bound for the UK the following day.
Once onboard the flight he will be accompanied by three doctors who will bring oxygen tanks and specialised medical equipment with them in order to address any health issues that may arise with the patient during the course of the flight.
Cameron had originally been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus on March 18 after visiting and attending a party with friends at Buddha Bar in Ho Chi Minh City.
He was then admitted to the Hospital of Tropical Diseases in the city to be treated for the COVID-19 and was subsequently transferred to Cho Ray hospital on May 22 to undergo follow-up treatment for organ failure. In total, he has so far stayed at the two hospitals for a combined 115 days.
At one stage, the patient had fallen into a coma and had more than 90% of his lungs severely damaged due to infection complications. He subsequently suffered from a ‘cytokine storm’ syndrome, an overreaction of the immune system, and relied heavily on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a life support machine.
He spent the majority of his time staying in the intensive care unit, where doctors had expected to conduct a lung transplant as a last resort aimed at saving his life.
However, to the surprise of doctors, the British citizen gradually made a miraculous recovery day by day, with his lung capacity recovering to almost 100%. Other organs such as his kidneys and livers are also now functioning normally.
At present, the patient is now able to get up and turn around in bed, stand up, communicate well with doctors, feed himself, and breathe unaided. He is now taking part in physical therapy and functional rehabilitation exercises aimed at strengthening his muscles.
The National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control will conduct a working session with Cho Ray hospital on July 11 in an effort to review preparations to discharge the British patient.
Under an agreement reached between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the British Embassy in Vietnam, Cameron will be handed over to the British Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City before being transferred to Hanoi. He will then be handed over to his insurance company in order to complete the repatriation flight following a request from the British Embassy.
VOV
