Chapter 5 — Transfer Rate Changed

Thieu Thanh Hai cleared his throat: "Today's meeting is being held because there is a controversy surrounding the transfer list for grassroots doctors. Comrade Khuong Ninh, please speak first." To Van Tinh quickly stood up: "Director, I want to explain first. The list was not decided by Mr. Co Thua alone, but is a comprehensive assessment of the department. Ms. Khuong Ninh works very hard at the grassroots level, but the position at the City Hospital has very high requirements, I don't want to be misunderstood because of personal relationships." After speaking, she even bowed to greet me.

“Sister, if you feel resentful, I can withdraw.”

In the meeting room, several people nodded. An elderly department head commented: "Doctor To's attitude is very good." Others chimed in: "Comrades at the grassroots level are understandably dissatisfied, but job positions must be based on ability." Co Thua looked at me: "Did you hear that? People are not aiming at you." I put the medicine box down next to my feet and pulled out the chair to sit down.

“I would like to ask three questions.”

Thieu Thanh Hai looked at me: "Ask."

“In the first list, where am I ranked?”

Trieu Khai Minh turned over the documents, his voice trembling: "First." The meeting room suddenly fell silent. I asked again: "The second list, where am I ranked?" Trieu Khai Minh glanced at Co Thua: "Still first." To Van Tinh's expression changed: "Director Trieu, the overall evaluation score does not represent the final result." I asked the third question: "Who signed the list two times?" Trieu Khai Minh was speechless. Thieu Thanh Hai looked at Co Thua: "Doctor Co, tell me." Co Thua put down the pen in her hand: "I signed. But I followed the faculty's opinion."

“Whose opinion in the department?”

To Van Tinh bit her lip: "Sister, are you so determined to pressure Co Thua like that?" Liu Tieu Man stood at the door and couldn't help but shout: "She's asking about the list, why the hell are you dragging men in?" The security guard tried to stop her, but Thieu Thanh Hai waved his hand: "Just let her stand there." I stared at Co Thua: "Whose opinion?" Co Thua was silent for a few seconds, then replied: "Mine." My mother-in-law jumped up from her chair: "Co Thua, don't take everything into yourself. Khuong Ninh, you're just right, Van Tinh is younger than you, has more future than you, what are you taking up this position for?" I turned to look at her: "Taking MY top 1 position?" She choked. Tears fell from To Van Tinh's eyes: "I admit, I really want to return to the City Hospital, and I have also made an effort. But Ms. Khuong Ninh, you cannot deny the efforts of others because you have suffered these past few years." I said: “What I deny is theft.” Co Thua slapped the table: "Enough!" The glass of water on the table shook. He stared at me: "Khuong Ninh, working at the grassroots level is not a golden ticket to avoid death. Those achievements of yours are not necessarily recognized by the hospital. If you insist on causing trouble, I have no choice but to speak frankly. You have been away from the clinical reality of the city level for too long, have not participated in training, the number of cases is not enough, you coming here will only drag down the entire department." I took out an old notebook from the medicine box's side compartment and placed it on the table.

"Medical examination and treatment records for seven years in Van Linh. Each page has the patient's signature and the stamp of the commune health station. He said If not enough, open it and see.”

Co Thua didn't even glance: "The notebook cannot prove qualifications." Thieu Thanh Hai reached out to pick up the notebook and turned a few pages. His expression began to become serious. The Head of the Emergency Department sitting next to him also looked over and pointed to a page: "Who will handle this case?" I said: “Me.”

“At that time, you were the only doctor?”

“There's one more nurse.”