Nghe An Endocrinology Hospital - My first visit
At the end of 2012, I took my wife to the Nghe An Endocrinology Hospital for a check-up. The hospital looked simple and needed a lot of investment. However, in contrast to the cramped and difficult facilities, the attitude of the doctors and nurses there made my wife and I, and many other patients, very satisfied.
(Baonghean)At the end of 2012, I took my wife to the Nghe An Endocrinology Hospital for a check-up. The hospital looked simple and needed a lot of investment. However, in contrast to the cramped and difficult facilities, the attitude of the doctors and nurses there made my wife and I, and many other patients, very satisfied.
Greeting us at the registration counter, a young nurse gently said, "Please take this number and wait until your turn is displayed on the electronic board before proceeding." I looked up; the LED screen in front of the door displayed three rows of numbers corresponding to the three people registered for the examination. It was only 8 o'clock, but the number was already 312. Then, the electronic board displayed my wife's name and number, followed by a robotic voice: "Patient number... please proceed to room number 5 for examination." We went inside. In front of the examination room, another electronic board was mounted on the wall, next to two relatively large speakers. Everyone looked up at the electronic board and listened to the announcement from the speakers: "Patient number... please proceed to examination room number... to receive your results." However, a few minutes later, the electronic board system malfunctioned and had to be shut down for repairs. Without the electronic board, instead, each examination room had a nurse standing and reading out the patient's name. After reading out the name and not seeing the patient appear, she called out to the crowd of nearly a hundred people: "If anyone's name is called, please say 'yes'." I was surprised by the nurse's cultured behavior. It's hard to find such behavior in places that interact with the public, especially hospitals.
Medical examination at Nghe An Endocrinology Hospital. Photo: Thuy Vinh
After being referred to the ultrasound room by the clinic, we followed the signs on the wall near the entrance. In front of the ultrasound room, three rows of twelve long chairs were placed close together, crowded with patients. While waiting for my wife's ultrasound results, I went out into the hallway for some fresh air. Next to me, Mrs. Truong Thi Phu, from Nghia Xuan (Quy Hop), was caring for her husband in the Intensive Care Unit and took advantage of the time the nurse was dispensing medication to go outside. We chatted as if we were old acquaintances. She said, "My husband is covered by the poverty alleviation insurance scheme." I asked, "How did you get the procedures done?" She replied, "They guided me through everything. Once we were admitted, they took us through all the procedures." After five days of caring for her husband in the Intensive Care Unit, Mrs. Thuong was deeply moved by the attitude of the staff and doctors. She affirmed: "The doctors and nurses here are very kind, unlike in other hospitals. They always ask about and talk to patients, and when asked anything, they are always cheerful and gentle. Therefore, I don't feel any pressure at all."
Witnessing the medical staff working tirelessly under challenging conditions, yet still treating patients with kindness and gentleness, I was deeply moved. Specifically, the hospital currently lacks a separate laboratory; the rooms are often divided into smaller sections: 10 examination rooms share 5 spaces, separated by glass partitions; 2 ultrasound rooms and an electrocardiogram room share one space… While touched by the dedication of these medical professionals, I also felt concerned for many patients and their families. Many patients, while waiting for their turn to be examined or to receive results, carelessly ate snacks and fruit, then littered the floor (despite a large trash can in front of the hospital lobby). Some even used benches as sleeping places, while others spread their luggage out and sat on the floor in the hallway. Although the medical staff repeatedly reminded them of these uncivilized behaviors, some people continued their actions. Hopefully, such issues will be quickly resolved. This would be a practical and appropriate response to the care that the medical staff here have shown towards patients.
Nguyen Manh Ha (Thach Ha District Party Committee, Ha Tinh Province)
