January 12, 2026Jan 12, 2026
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Woman works as scrub nurse for many decades

Date: 02/07/2020 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

“Think that you are to be operated with the surgical instruments that you have sterilized in the operating room that you have sterilized.”

This is the words of greeting O Myong Hui, head nurse at the narcosis and operation department of Wonsan City People’s Hospital No. 1, says whenever a new nurse comes under her charge.

It is a challenging job even for young people to work at the narcosis and operation department where they must sterilize appliances and supplies in the operation room and run machines during the operations and prepare for the new day after a day’s work, said Pak Myong Sop, director of the hospital.

O Myong Hui has taken part in more than 55 000 surgical operations of various kinds, helped cure 15 000 severe cases and over 1 800 severest cases and saved lives of many patients by giving skin grafts for five times and transfusions for over ten times.

Born into a peasant’s family in 1946, O became a nurse at the age of 17 after finishing a training course.

At that time her father told her that a nurse is someone who looks after patients like their own parents, brothers and sisters and that only devotion and dutifulness can make an excellent nurse.

Cherishing her father’s words in mind, she tried hard to get accustomed to tender words and warm smiles while acquiring medical knowledge.

“My first experience in an operation was a skin grafting surgery on a patient with burns,” O recalled. “I was so nervous that I couldn’t see the patient’s face, to say nothing of the wounds. As he needed more grafts since his condition was found to be worse than expected, the head nurse offered her skin. She was followed by other nurses, who unhesitatingly climbed onto the operating table. I was really surprised to see that there were several scars on their bodies.”

From then on, she got full aware of her duty as a nurse.

Whenever a patient required a transfusion, she would readily roll up her sleeve and whenever a seriously ill patient was brought in, she would come forward to wtake them in charge.

“I volunteered to look after a patient who was in shock from copious bleeding and multiple fractures. I had to take his blood pressure, pulse and breathing every ten to 15 minutes and change his posture every 30 minutes. After tending him for over a month at the hospital, I was really exhausted. But when he recovered, I was moved to tears with overwhelming joy,” she wrote in her diary.

Her young children would come to see her at the hospital as she had to take part in operations on emergency cases even on holidays.

Decades passed, and she came to possess unparalleled nursing skills. The surgeons at the hospital say that they feel reassured when she assists them in operations.

She was honoured with the title of a meritorious person of socialist patriotism in recognition of her decades-long devotion to the care of patients with warm human love.

More From Pyongyang Times

Mexican president denounces US’ interference

Mexican president denounces US’ interference

The Mexican president rejected the US’ attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of her country at a press conference on Januar

January 11, 2026

The Mexican president rejected the US’ attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of her country at a press conference on Januar

Winners of Communist Mother Honour Prize (2)

Winners of Communist Mother Honour Prize (2)

Han Yong Sun, winner of the Communist Mother Honour Prize living in Musan County of North Hamgyong Province, was a well-known

January 11, 2026

Han Yong Sun, winner of the Communist Mother Honour Prize living in Musan County of North Hamgyong Province, was a well-known

New Year celebrations of Koreans in China

New Year celebrations of Koreans in China

The General Association of Koreans in China held celebrations on the occasion of the New Year 2026. Officials and members of the

January 11, 2026

The General Association of Koreans in China held celebrations on the occasion of the New Year 2026. Officials and members of the

Cement production goes up

Cement production goes up

Cement production units in the DPRK have increased production since the beginning of the year. The Sangwon Cement Complex carried

January 11, 2026

Cement production units in the DPRK have increased production since the beginning of the year. The Sangwon Cement Complex carried

Inevitable product of anti-popular social system

Inevitable product of anti-popular social system

The right to existence of the working masses is being trampled down in Western countries. In December last year, farmers from

January 10, 2026

The right to existence of the working masses is being trampled down in Western countries. In December last year, farmers from

Crimes are rampant in Western countries around New Year’s Day

Crimes are rampant in Western countries around New Year’s Day

Bloody, violent crimes occurred in succession in Western countries around New Year’s Day.A man in his 20s brandished a knife to ca

January 10, 2026

Bloody, violent crimes occurred in succession in Western countries around New Year’s Day.A man in his 20s brandished a knife to ca

Photo exhibitions held in provinces

Photo exhibitions held in provinces

Photo exhibitions "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style socialism" were

January 10, 2026

Photo exhibitions "Ushering in an era of gigantic transformation for comprehensive development of Korean-style socialism" were

New houses built in South Hamgyong Province

New houses built in South Hamgyong Province

New houses have appeared at the Sinphung and Yongjung farms in Sinpho City and at the Namhoe Farm in Hongwon County of South

January 10, 2026

New houses have appeared at the Sinphung and Yongjung farms in Sinpho City and at the Namhoe Farm in Hongwon County of South

Proactive efforts to develop country’s sports

Proactive efforts to develop country’s sports

In 2025, the DPRK made positive efforts to develop sports and make them mass-based.Fierce gamesAs in 2024, many sports games held

January 09, 2026

In 2025, the DPRK made positive efforts to develop sports and make them mass-based.Fierce gamesAs in 2024, many sports games held

Toward multipolar world

Toward multipolar world

Today, the multipolarization of the world has become the main trend of the international community. The influence of BRICS is

January 09, 2026

Today, the multipolarization of the world has become the main trend of the international community. The influence of BRICS is

China censures West for double dealing over Taiwan issue

China censures West for double dealing over Taiwan issue

A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of China at a press conference on December 31 last year accused the Western countries of

January 09, 2026

A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of China at a press conference on December 31 last year accused the Western countries of

Russia blasts Ukraine’s terrorism

Russia blasts Ukraine’s terrorism

The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement on January 1 strongly denounced the terrorist act of Ukraine against peaceful inhabita

January 09, 2026

The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement on January 1 strongly denounced the terrorist act of Ukraine against peaceful inhabita

New houses, public and production buildings built at farms

New houses, public and production buildings built at farms

Modern houses have been built at the Chilgol Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, and public and production

January 09, 2026

Modern houses have been built at the Chilgol Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, and public and production

Emulation, assistance and progress

Emulation, assistance and progress

Review of exhibitions held in 2025 In 2025, various exhibitions took place in large numbers in the fields of light industry and

January 09, 2026

Review of exhibitions held in 2025 In 2025, various exhibitions took place in large numbers in the fields of light industry and

Finishing building-materials production bases strengthened

Finishing building-materials production bases strengthened

More than 40 finishing building-materials production bases were built and over 60 similar bases updated last year, thanks to the

January 09, 2026

More than 40 finishing building-materials production bases were built and over 60 similar bases updated last year, thanks to the

Practising economy as social habit

Practising economy as social habit

Practising economy arises as an urgent matter as the economy develops. In order for economy to produce a great result in the

January 09, 2026

Practising economy arises as an urgent matter as the economy develops. In order for economy to produce a great result in the

More Articles