In the photo album “Victory Smile” of Nghe An Oncology Hospital, nurse Ho Thi Hai Yen (Palliative Treatment Department) wrote: “At Nghe An Oncology Hospital, there is a warm miracle. That is, within the painful difficulties of illness, there are always smiles. A sharing look, a loving smile given to each other is the message we always hope to send to life. Everyone will definitely become a winner, any pain will definitely be overcome if a smile is always lit on each of our lips.”
Also in this album, one of the photos that received the most attention from everyone was the photo of the young patient Bui Xuan Hoa (11 years old). In the photo, the handsome boy Hoa smiled brightly in a loose hospital gown, holding an orange plastic ball. Below the photo is the caption "Mom! When I get better, I want to play soccer". Hoa has bravely gone through a long journey that not every adult is brave enough to face. After each battle with persistent pain in the hospital bed, the smile badge still shines brightly on his lips. Hoa! The sky is ahead and the sun is warm outside, get well soon so you can go out and play soccer again!!!".
Sharing more about this young patient, Specialist II Doctor Nguyen Van Huong (Head of Social Work - Communication Department) said: “Hoa's hometown is in Quynh Tam commune, Quynh Luu district. Hoa's family situation is very difficult. When we discovered that she had leukemia, we supported her with all her daily meals and treatment expenses. During the treatment period, her father, who was working in the South, had an accident and passed away. Before this incident, the mother and child intended to give up and stop treatment. We encouraged the mother and child to continue the treatment regimen and supported her regular check-ups... It has been 3 years. Hoa has returned to a normal life, is healthy and studies very well." According to Doctor Huong, Nghe An Oncology Hospital often receives such unfortunate and pitiful situations. There are poor families where 2 or 3 people in the family have cancer at the same time and all receive timely support.
The 111 photos in the album “Victory Smile” are 111 touching messages from the team of doctors, nurses, and hospital technicians sent to their patients. They could be loving messages, or an admirable story from a patient… Indeed, the medical staff here work hard for the smiles of their patients and the hospital has a social work department whose mission is to keep those smiles always blooming. That is why it is easy to see these smiles when you come here.
The day we arrived was Tuesday, among the people waiting for a free haircut in the hospital yard, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thu (family member of patient Nguyen Huu Nam, from Thanh Chuong) seemed the most excited. She said: “My husband has waited a long time to come to the hospital and wait for the day to get a haircut. It’s not because he regrets spending tens of thousands of dollars outside, but because my house is too far from the center, his health is poor, it’s difficult to move around, and he’s not suitable for crowded places. His hair has gotten thicker these past few days, so it hurts a lot. Now that he’s done cutting it, he’ll sleep better at night.”
In the hospital rooms, many patients are excited because they will be able to wash their hair right in bed with a mobile shampoo cart. Patient Le Thi Sau (Yen Thanh) shared: "Every time I wash my hair, I feel so relieved, I don't have to bend down and have a sore back, the water is warm, and after washing, I can dry my hair. The nurses are skillful and gentle, they talk and encourage me while working, I'm very happy." Ms. Sau also shared that after learning that she had cancer, she went to Hanoi to receive treatment at the best hospitals. After more than a year, she decided to return to her hometown and was completely satisfied with her experience at Nghe An Oncology Hospital. For more than 3 years, Nghe An Oncology Hospital has become her second home.
Sharing the same feeling, when asked about the treatment process at Nghe An Oncology Hospital, patient Ngo Thi Mai (Dien Chau) put her hand on her chest and said emotionally: “I cannot express my gratitude to the team of doctors, nurses, caregivers, and medical staff here. They have encouraged, shared, and made efforts for the patients, worried about and organized many practical welfare programs for the patients. I have witnessed many poor patients being saved thanks to the hospital's support programs. To me, they are real-life angels.”
As the author of many ideas and support programs, Specialist II Doctor Nguyen Van Huong was also the one who proactively applied to take on this position, with the desire to accompany and support cancer patients as much as possible, especially those in difficult circumstances. Sharing his wishes, Doctor Huong confided: “8 years ago, when I was working at Nghe An CDC Center, my father discovered he had cancer. Like everyone else, I was very distressed when witnessing my father's pain. But that distress was even greater when I directly witnessed the extremely pitiful circumstances of families with cancer patients at the hospital. Many were so poor and deprived that they had to ask for rice from other patients to eat... With the desire to do something to support everyone, in 2017, I applied to transfer to the hospital and took on the task of being in charge of social work here”.
Since its establishment on August 1, 2017, the Quality Management and Social Work Department of Nghe An Oncology Hospital has successively implemented many support activities for patients. To get closer to patients, promptly grasp their thoughts and circumstances that need support, the department has built a network of social work collaborators in all departments and offices. From that closeness, social work at the hospital has successively built practical and meaningful programs, from small to large, close to the needs of patients. From here, Nghe An Oncology Hospital has connected and built 2 funds to support cancer patients, the "Bright Tomorrow Fund" and the "Kindness Fund". Over the past 5 years, the "Bright Tomorrow Fund" has supported 200 patients with a total amount of 745 million VND, the "Kindness Fund" has supported 100 patients with a total amount of 543 million VND.
In 2019, the hospital mobilized benefactors to build a "Zero-VND Library" with many necessary items such as clothes, antiseptic water, masks, wigs, etc. and stored 62 books, catalogs, tapes and discs with an estimated total value of 480 million VND. Notably, this program was once sponsored by famous garment companies with thousands of export-standard warm coats. Thanks to the concern and efforts of the members, there were times when patients were given meals for 30 days/month. In case they could not find support from outside, doctors and nurses would join hands to support with the determination not to let patients miss the opportunity to be treated...
In addition to material support, the hospital also carries out many activities to take care of the mental health of patients. Every Tuesday afternoon, the hospital organizes free haircuts and shampoos for patients. Every year, the hospital periodically organizes meaningful events such as "Spring of Love", "Towards Cancer Patients", "Connecting Love" to call for support for patients in difficult circumstances at the hospital. From their relationships and reputation, the team of officers, doctors and medical staff at the hospital has invited famous singers such as People's Artist Hong Luu, singer Dam Vinh Hung, Shiu Black... to perform for patients and to raise charity funds.
“During the 2 years of participating in free haircuts for patients at the hospital, I have witnessed many pitiful situations and deeply admired and appreciated the kindness of the doctors and medical staff here. The more I interact with them, the more my friends and I want to live a more meaningful life and help more people. As far as I know, Nghe An Oncology Hospital is the first hospital in Nghe An to implement this activity and is the only hospital that has maintained this activity consistently and regularly until now” – Mr. Phan Van Khanh, owner of a hair salon in Nam Dan shared.
As a regular participant in patient support programs at Nghe An Oncology Hospital, an anonymous donor shared: “I learned about the social work programs of Nghe An Oncology Hospital when I met Dr. Huong in Da Nang. After listening to Dr. Huong's story, I decided to send him 50 million VND to support patients. However, Dr. Huong refused to receive it on his behalf and convinced me to personally give it to the patients because the hospital only acts as a connecting bridge. After having the opportunity to return to my hometown Nghe An, witnessing the sincere and responsible work of the doctors and nurses, and seeing the deprived lives of the patients here, I decided to increase the support level to 100 million VND. I also learned that many patients, after being cured, returned to the hospital to support other patients. The love and kindness of the hospital's social workers have created miracles, spreading kindness, helping many patients have a chance. "treatment association, victory over disease".
