Healthcare System Seen through Daily Records of Treatment

Just like all other hospitals in the DPRK, the Ryugyong General Ophthalmic Hospital keeps daily records of treatment by sections.

The records of the retina section give a detailed account of how they treated Ri Chon Sul, an old man who lived in Songyo District, Pyongyang. He was hospitalized one day in April Juche 109 (2020) because of detachment of retina and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The hospital had never cured a case with such diseases.

The medical workers of the section closely observed his conditions and nutriture and, based on this, held several consultations, in the course of which they selected optimal operation method. Then they repeated simulation surgery with animals. 

The surgery on him lasted for five hours. The surgery was successful. A week later when the patient recovered his sight, the medical workers, to say nothing of the patient, shed tears. That day the old man said in tears: “The eyes are precious to man, but what is more precious is our benevolent motherland and our socialist healthcare system.” The daily records of treatment showed the contents of the consultations over him and medicines dosed to him during his stay at the hospital.    

The daily records of treatment of the glaucoma section explained the course of treatment of an old man who lived in Taesong District, Pyongyang, whereas those of the cataract section gave an account of how they had treated a woman from Taedong County, South Phyongan Province. Though the words of the records were simple, one can feel through them the innermost feelings, emotions and devotion.     

Tens of thousands of people regained their sight free of charge at the hospital over the seven years since its inauguration.