Celebrating Tet in a hospital bed

The New Year is coming. Spring comes to everyone but seems to “avoid” the Intensive Care Unit, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital. Outside, the colors of Spring are overflowing, but in these closed rooms, it is quiet and sad. The sound of a running machine, the quick footsteps of the doctors, the sad sigh of a patient’s family member, the turning of a child… can all be heard clearly, filled with anxiety.

The Intensive Care and Anti-Poison Department of the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital has many seriously ill children being treated at the end of the year. Photo: Thanh Hoa

The Intensive Care Unit is a special unit: There are many children with serious to critical illnesses who require long-term treatment. The work of the doctors in the unit is very stressful, often on duty 24/7. Patients, their families and doctors never stop fighting for their lives.

This Tet, in the Intensive Care and Anti-Poison Department, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, there are two families who will definitely have to celebrate Tet sadly at the hospital. Ms. Tran Thi Lien (Do Luong district) is tired by the hospital bed. When mentioning her child's condition, she sobs again, tears rolling down her haggard cheeks.

NTTH, 9 years old, is being treated at the Intensive Care Unit of the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital. Photo: Thanh Hoa

Her son, NTTH, 9 years old, is very sick. He is almost brain dead due to the after-effects of Japanese encephalitis and currently has to have a tracheostomy and be put on a ventilator. Ms. Lien said: "This year is the second year my son has had to celebrate Tet in the hospital. Last year he was at the National Children's Hospital. He is the youngest child in a family of 4 siblings. For the past two years, I have been taking him to many hospitals for treatment. The family is poor, so we save all the money we have for medicine for our son. For the past two years, the whole family has not had Tet."

H.D.N, 3 years old, is receiving intensive treatment. Photo: Thanh Chung

Like Tran Thi Lien's family, Chu Thi Hien's family (Dien Chau) also had to celebrate Tet in the hospital this year. Hien's child, H.D.N, 3 years old, is being treated intensively in the department due to a metabolic disorder. This young mother is hoping that with the efforts of doctors and nurses, and with her miraculous vitality, her child will soon recover.

Doctor Ngo Nam Hai examines patient Chu Quan - who has to stay at Vinh City General Hospital for treatment during this Tet holiday. Photo: Thanh Chung

Similarly, the patients in the Intensive Care, Anti-Poison, and Hemodialysis Department of Vinh City General Hospital are all seriously ill. As Tet approaches, the department currently has 22 patients, all of whom are elderly. These patients suffer from septic shock leading to organ failure, stroke, and respiratory failure. About 10 people will have to celebrate Tet in hospital beds.

Mr. Chu Thien, son of Mr. Chu Quan, 81 years old, in Nam Dan district (hospitalized on the morning of January 30, due to severe septic shock leading to multiple organ failure, pneumonia, on the basis of cerebrovascular sequelae) shared: "When one person is sick, the whole family and relatives worry. This Tet, the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be by his side, giving him more strength to fight the disease."

Medical staff donate blood to save patients during Tet. Photo: Thanh Chung

Together with the patients’ families, this Tet, medical staff have been trying to contribute to a bright Spring. Before Tet, the “Pink Drops in White Blouse” and Red Sunday festivals were held, thousands of doctors and nurses in the province came to donate blood to provide emergency care for patients during Tet. Each hospital has a “Living Blood Bank” ready to share life-giving blood for emergency patients.

On this occasion, many delegations from the province and localities came to give gifts to patients and their families. On this New Year's Eve, leaders of the Provincial People's Committee will visit the hospitals to share their worries with them. In addition, there will be many more kind-hearted people coming to the patients...

Nghe An provincial leaders presented Tet gifts to patients being treated at Vinh City General Hospital. Photo: Thanh Chung

Dr. Ngo Nam Hai, Head of the Department of Intensive Care, Anti-Poisoning, and Artificial Kidney of Vinh City General Hospital, said: "The hospital has scheduled work and arranged human resources carefully. Accordingly, 100% of departments and rooms are open and operating as usual. All departments have increased the number of doctors and nurses.... to avoid the situation of refusing or delaying the treatment of patients. In addition, the hospital also gives free meals as well as gifts to patients being treated on this occasion."

A doctor's greatest wish is for the patient's health to recover. Photo: Thanh Chung

Wishing for the New Year, Dr. Hai and many other medical staff hope to have “less work”, because now any patient admitted to the hospital means that their illness has become serious and they have to celebrate Tet in the hospital; hoping that everyone will be aware of maintaining their health, taking precautions against accidents and injuries... to have a happy and warm Tet with their families!