XIZANG, February 4th (AMSP/CGTN) – – In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Dingri County in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region last month, people from different walks of life are working hard to rebuild the damaged villages and heal the wounded. CGTN’s reporter Yang Jinghao met a young doctor who is dedicating himself to the health and well-being of his fellow villagers despite facing his own personal loss.
Norbu visits families in that resettlement site every day, providing care to those in need of medical help. This has been his daily routine since a powerful earthquake hit his hometown of Dingri County in Xizang Autonomous Region in early January. The wounded in the disaster are his focus.
“I follow up with patients returning from big hospitals in Shigatse, changing dressings when necessary and monitoring their conditions,” said Doctor Norbu.
The local government says the earthquake took the lives of over 120 people, while about 190 people were wounded. Norbu also tragically lost one of his loved ones, but he spent only two days handling the funeral before he returned to work.
“I grew up here. This is my hometown. Although I also lost a family member in the earthquake, I want to turn this grief into strength to save more fellow villagers and apply the professional knowledge I’ve learned over the years to the relief work,” he said.
He’s still only a young doctor, but Norbu knows how to reassure terrified residents while helping to relieve their physical pain. “They are generally satisfied with me. Every time I finish checking on them, they always ask if I can come back again the next day,” he told CGTN’s Yang Jinghao.
Apart from providing daily care to patients, Norbu and his colleagues also carry out disinfection work. “We primarily disinfect garbage accumulation points, toilets, and the areas surrounding resettlement sites to prevent the spread of infectious diseases,” he disclosed.
His wife is also a medical worker, but Norbu has rarely seen her and their child as they both need to serve locals. “Right now, we are in the transitional phase of resettlement. The reconstruction will gradually begin. As long as the villagers and the government need me, I will do my best and persist until the end,” said Norbu.
Norbu also took me to his previous home. He says the houses have collapsed, but all his childhood memories remain. And like all villagers, he has a New Year wish. “I hope our homeland will be reconstructed in a timely manner in the new year,” he expressed his wish.
And thanks to the efforts of individuals like him, a spirit of hope and renewal is already taking root.
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CGTN