When Every Minute Matters: An Emergency Medical Evacuation from Vietnam to Australia

By Dr. Rafi Kot - Family Medical Practice Vietnam

Family Medical Practice was involved in coordinating the emergency medical evacuation of Ms Chloe Mowday on December 18, an Australian citizen who became critically ill in Vietnam following serious complications from surgery performed abroad. Situations like this highlight the complexity of managing critical illness away from home and the importance of coordinated international medical care.

Ms Mowday, 31, experienced a rapid deterioration in her condition and required intensive care and life-support treatment. Given the severity of her illness and the need for specialised ongoing management, a medical evacuation to Australia was considered the safest option. Planning such a transfer requires careful assessment, clear communication, and meticulous coordination to ensure patient stability throughout the journey.

The evacuation involved collaboration between emergency medicine specialists, critical-care clinicians, aviation medical teams, the patient’s family, and relevant consular authorities. Throughout the transfer, continuous monitoring and life-support care were maintained to reduce the risks associated with long-distance air transport of a critically ill patient. Ms Mowday was transported via a specialist medical evacuation flight to Perth, where she was admitted to an Australian medical facility for further treatment. 

I have lived and practised medicine in Vietnam for more than three decades. Since establishing Family Medical Practice in 1994, I have worked with expatriates, travellers, and local families during some of their most difficult moments - often when they are far from home and facing serious illness. Over the years, this experience has reinforced for me that in critical situations, patients and their families need not only medical care, but also clear communication, reassurance, and continuity, especially when decisions must be made under great stress.

From a clinical perspective, international medical evacuations are not simply logistical exercises. They require careful evaluation of timing, patient stability, available medical resources, and continuity of care across borders. Clear communication between treating teams in different countries is essential to ensure that care does not fragment during transition.

In Vietnam, tourists and expatriates who become seriously unwell often face additional challenges, including language barriers, unfamiliar healthcare systems, and uncertainty around insurance and evacuation processes. Coordinated medical support can help families navigate these complexities during what is often an extremely stressful period.

Ms Mowday has since arrived safely in Australia and continues her recovery under the care of local medical specialists. Her case serves as a reminder that, while rare, severe medical emergencies can occur unexpectedly, and timely coordination can make a significant difference to outcomes.  

This article features in Vietnam News.

Dr. Rafi Kot is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FMP Healthcare Group, with over 25 years of experience providing medical care in Vietnam. Originally from Israel, he came to Vietnam in 1988 to support healthcare in remote regions and later established Family Medical Practice — the first 100% foreign-owned private medical centre in the country. Under his leadership, FMP has grown into a leading healthcare provider with multiple clinics nationwide and a commitment to international-standard primary care, emergency services and community health programs. Dr. Rafi’s work focuses on building strong clinical teams, expanding access to quality care, and innovating services such as the ∗9999 emergency response system.

FMP Healthcare Group operates medical centres in major cities including HCMC, Ha Noi and Đa Nang, offering consultations with international doctors, check-up centres and emergency ambulance services.

FMP HA NOI:

Tel: (024) 3843 0748 or hanoi@vietnammedicalpractice.com

FMP HO CHI MINH:

Diamond Plaza: (028) 3822 7848 or hcmc@vietnammedicalpractice.com

Thao Dien: (028) 3744 2000 or d2.reception@vietnammedicalpractice.com

Phu My Hung: (028) 3622 4988 or d7.reception@vietnammedicalpractice.com

FMP DA NANG:

Tel: (023) 6358 2699 or danang@vietnammedicalpractice.com