"Ah, hello. What can I do for you?"
—I must apologize for contacting you out of the blue. I am the personal interpreter for His Highness Sheikh Faisal bin Zayed Al Nahyan. His Highness has been suffering from a chronic illness for a long time, and has received treatment from renowned doctors around the world, but has shown no significant improvement.
Gim Sara paused briefly before continuing carefully.
—His Highness wishes to request a consultation from the Director.
"To me?"
Gang Taeho said in surprise.
Could it be another introduction from Councilor Catherine?
Just as a man's voice could be heard over the phone, Gim Sara continued.
—Director Gang. Do you remember performing emergency first aid at a traffic accident in Geneva?
The memory returned. When he had gone to Geneva to attend a WHO awards ceremony, he had helped victims at the scene of a traffic accident and assisted with Anna's emergency delivery.
"Ah, I remember that."
"His Highness Faisal was present at that scene. He witnessed the Director's emergency first aid firsthand and was deeply impressed."
Taeho leaned back in his chair and said.
"I see. But might I know what specific illness it is?"
—It is a chronic pain syndrome that began fifteen years ago. He has been suffering because the exact cause has not been found.
"Fifteen years is quite a long time."
Taeho tilted his head.
If he's a prince of the United Arab Emirates, it wasn't likely that he couldn't treat his illness due to lack of money…….
—Yes. He has visited many places, including famous European hospitals, as well as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Johns Hopkins in the United States, but there has been no significant improvement. The pain is especially severe at night, so he has been unable to sleep properly.
Gim Sara's voice was laden with sorrow.
"So you're saying he would come all the way to Korea?"
—Yes. His Highness says money is not an issue. He says the Director is his last hope.
A brief silence passed. Taeho spoke cautiously.
"I'm not sure if I can be of help, but I suppose I should review the medical records first."
—Thank you so very much! Director Gang Taeho!
Gim Sara rejoiced greatly, then added in a somewhat calmer voice.
—However, for procedural reasons, you must sign a confidentiality agreement.
"In Korea, doctors are obligated to keep their patients' illnesses confidential."
—We are aware that Korea's medical laws are well established. But this is a legal matter concerning the United Arab Emirates, so your signature is absolutely necessary.
"If that's the case, very well."
—Thank you for your understanding. We will send the medical records immediately along with our legal team.
At that moment, a man's voice was heard again.
Gim Sara cautiously added.
—There is one more thing.
"Yes?"
—His Highness would like to speak with you personally for a moment. Would that be possible?
"Of course."
A moment later, a young man's voice came through the phone. After a few words in Arabic, he spoke in clumsy English.
"Doctor Gang, thank you very much."
Then the sound of him speaking at length in Arabic was heard. Soon, Gim Sara interpreted.
—His Highness says that watching you save the mother and baby in Geneva, he realized what a true doctor is.
Arabic was heard again over the phone, and Gim Sara continued interpreting.
—And if you treat His Highness, it will be the grace of Allah, and he will compensate you with the highest treatment.
"Please convey to His Highness. I will do my best."
—Thank you, Director. Then we will organize and send the medical records, and contact you again regarding the details.
The call ended.
Taeho asked Rema.
"Rema, about how many princes are there in the UAE?"
—The UAE has six royal families ruling seven emirates. Each royal family has tens to hundreds of family members, totaling several hundred to several thousand.
—Each royal house has one successor, that is, one Crown Prince, but the title of prince, generally called 'Sheikh,' is given to almost all male royal family members, so there can be thousands.
"Thousands of princes?"
Princes are more common in the UAE than I thought.
"Then is Sheikh Faisal bin Zayed Al Nahyan one of those thousands?"
—No. Currently, the most influential king among the seven emirates of the UAE is Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, the ruler of the Abu Dhabi emirate. He is also the current President of the UAE, and based on his formidable economic power, oil resources, and military influence, he is internationally regarded as the most influential leader in the Arab world.
—Sheikh Faisal bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the second son of Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, ranked seventh in the royal family line, and second in the line of succession to the throne.
"If he's second in the line of succession, he's next in line after the Crown Prince."
—That is correct. Sheikh Faisal serves as a member of the core administrative policy body of the Abu Dhabi emirate, and his personal fortune is estimated at 30 billion dollars.
Would 30 billion dollars be about 41.7 trillion won?
A whistle escaped him naturally.
Could he really cure an illness that couldn't be cured despite having so much wealth?
It was a new challenge for Taeho.
***
Monday, 7 AM, Geumsan Samcheok Hospital lobby.
Seven newly hired medical staff stood exchanging awkward glances.
Taeho came down to the lobby and stood before them with a warm smile.
"Hello! Director."
The seven greeted him in unison.
"Hello, everyone. I sincerely congratulate you on your first day at work. Our hospital is small, but it is a place that thinks of each and every patient as family. I hope you will all join us with that spirit."
He looked at them one by one and continued.
"If anyone has a good idea, please speak up anytime. I believe your young, fresh perspectives will help this hospital develop further."
"Yes!"
"We will work hard."
As the new staff each greeted him, Taeho said in an energetic voice.
"Well then, let us all head to your respective departments now."
"Yes!"
"Yes, Director."
The medical staff dispersed to their respective departments.
***
It was while I Chaelin and Gim Dohyeon were listening to an explanation of the work system at the emergency room nurses' station.
A woman in her sixties staggered in through the emergency room entrance. Her face was pale, and cold sweat beaded on her forehead. A man who appeared to be her husband followed, supporting her.
"Honey, are you okay?"
"Oh dear, it hurts so much I could die!"
The atmosphere in the ER instantly grew tense.
I Chaelin and Gim Dohyeon turned simultaneously. Both reflexively stepped toward the patient.
"Patient, please sit here!"
I Chaelin shouted first. She ran toward the bed, grabbing the patient's arm.
"Slowly, slowly. Please calm down."
I Chaelin laid the patient on the bed and began the medical interview.
"When did the pain start?"
"About an hour ago."
"What are your symptoms?"
"Suddenly my chest feels like it's being torn apart……."
The patient spoke with difficulty.
At that moment, Gim Dohyeon intervened, placing his hand on the patient's wrist.
"Let me check your pulse. Mm. Around 110 bpm. A bit fast."
I Chaelin looked at Gim Dohyeon with a flustered expression.
"Doctor Gim Dohyeon, I was conducting the interview first……"
"Ah, sorry. I just thought it would be better to check vitals quickly since it's an emergency."
Gim Dohyeon said this with an expression that wasn't the least bit sorry. Rather, he looked as if this was obviously the right thing to do.
"Shall we check blood pressure too? Nurse!"
Gim Dohyeon called for a nurse in a loud voice.
I Chaelin's face turned red. The flow of her examination had been completely broken.
"Just a moment, Doctor Gim Dohyeon. I was first……"
"Time is of the essence. It could be a myocardial infarction; where is the time to slowly conduct an interview first?"
Gim Dohyeon said firmly.
I Chaelin's voice sharpened.
"But isn't there an order to these things? What do you think you're doing?"
"What am I doing? The patient takes priority over procedure."
Gim Dohyeon responded without backing down.
The air between the two grew cold rapidly.
The nurses looked at each other, at a loss. The most senior nurse, Go Hayeong, narrowed her eyes and glared at the two doctors.
The patient grew even more anxious watching the two doctors argue.
"Why, why are you fighting?"
It was then.
"Hold on."
A low voice. All eyes turned to one spot.
Taeho walked in from the ER entrance with a stern expression. He had been watching the entire situation. He had deliberately stayed nearby to observe the new medical staff's first emergency response.
Taeho spoke to the patient in a gentle voice.
"Patient, it's alright. We will take good care of you. Don't worry."
"Yes, doctor."
The patient's expression stabilized slightly.
Taeho gave orders to I Chaelin and Gim Dohyeon in a quiet but clear voice.
"Doctor I Chaelin, please continue the patient interview. Doctor Gim Dohyeon, please prepare the 12-lead ECG."
The two paused briefly.
"Right now!"
At Taeho's voice, there was no longer any room for argument.
I Chaelin asked the patient again.
"Patient, what is the nature of the pain? Please tell me if it feels squeezing, or stabbing."
Dohyeon reluctantly headed toward the ECG machine. As he prepared the machine, he thought to himself.
'Damn. Why did I act like that?'
He reproached himself as he reflected on his actions. He had never made such a mistake during his emergency medicine residency.
But he quickly realized the reason.
'It's because of Director Gang Taeho.'
The thought that he had fallen behind in the discussion with I Chaelin during the interview had continued to torment him. Watching her systematic approach being recognized, he had developed an obsession with showing something special.
'I wanted to show quick judgment…… In the end, I only revealed rashness.'
In his desire to make a deep impression on Director Gang Taeho, he had made a mistake befitting a novice.
Gim Dohyeon let out a bitter smile.
Meanwhile, I Chaelin also let out a secret sigh as she organized the patient chart.
Normally she would have gratefully accepted when a colleague tried to help, so why had she reacted so sensitively today?
'It's because I felt like I was outdone by Gim Dohyeon in the interview.'
After the interview, she had felt anxious that Gim Dohyeon's creative and flexible approach might have looked more impressive to Taeho.
She had worried that her cautious method might look old-fashioned.
'So I tried to do it perfectly……'
Instead, she felt her chest tighten at the thought that she had only lost points because of this incident.
Regardless of the two's feelings, Taeho was only thinking of the patient.
"Please check the vital signs, and check the oxygen saturation as well."
"Yes, Director."
Nurse Go Hayeong moved quickly.
Fifteen minutes later, the test results came out.
Taeho explained to the patient.
"Fortunately, it is not a myocardial infarction. It is musculoskeletal pain. It seems you have a sprain in your intercostal muscles. I will prescribe painkillers. Please rest for about two days at home, and apply cold compresses. After 48 hours, you may switch to warm compresses."
"Oh my, what a relief. Thank you, doctor."
After the patient returned home reassured, Taeho called I Chaelin and Gim Dohyeon aside.
"Please follow me."
I Chaelin and Gim Dohyeon moved with awkward, heavy steps.