Alleviating the suffering of wounded and sick soldiers.

The pain will last...

In July, we returned to a very familiar place – the Nghe An Mental and Neurological Rehabilitation Center for Wounded Soldiers. Passing through the iron gate of the soldiers' quarters, we occasionally heard the intermittent shouts of "Charge! Advance!" These were the cries of the wounded and sick soldiers receiving treatment there. For them, the memories of their days on the battlefield seemed to remain perfectly intact.

In a small, clean, tiled room lives Nguyen Van Cuong, a veteran from Hoa Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district), now over 60 years old and severely wounded. He fought on the Southwestern border and was wounded in a life-or-death battle against the Khmer Rouge. His recollections are not entirely coherent, but we tried to listen to understand the glorious days he fought and was wounded on that battlefield.

Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong's health is steadily improving thanks to the dedicated care of the nurses. Photo: Duc Anh

Veteran Nguyen Van Cuong recalled: “I enlisted in 1978, belonging to the 4th Corps, 9th Division, and participated in combat in the Southwestern battlefield. At 2:00 AM on January 1, 1979, the Khmer Rouge unexpectedly attacked our platoon. While we were in the shelter, we were hit by artillery fire. The entire shelter was buried, and I was subsequently wounded in the head and taken for treatment.”

Since that injury, Mr. Cuong has no longer been himself, sometimes lucid, sometimes delirious. In the early 1980s, he was discharged from the army and returned to his family. From then on, the illness frequently relapsed. When he had an episode, he would become agitated; he would often dig shelters in his garden, using sticks and clubs as makeshift guns to fight...

By 2017, his spirits had deteriorated. He couldn't sleep, his body began to weaken, he became withdrawn and reluctant to socialize. Because of his condition, his family took him to the Nghe An Psychiatric and Neurological Rehabilitation Center for War Invalids. After a period of care and treatment, former soldier Nguyen Van Cuong's health has now improved.

Wounded and sick soldiers received thorough medical examinations and care. Photo: Duc Anh

Let's work together to alleviate the pain.

At a small table in the grounds of the Nghe An Mental and Neurological Rehabilitation Center for War Invalids, the air was filled with lively chatter and laughter between the nurses and the war invalids. They shared stories about their children, families, and comrades with heartfelt affection. The veterans considered this place their second home, where they received attentive and thoughtful care, filled with love and compassion.

Beyond their duties as medical staff, the nurses also act as friends and children, always listening to and sharing with the veterans, helping them relieve their emotional burdens and find joy in everyday life. (Photo: Duc Anh)

Veteran Nguyen Van Cuong recounted: “Since coming here, my health has improved significantly; my complexion is rosy, and I look refreshed. Besides mental health issues, I also suffer from several other illnesses, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, but here I am cared for by the staff as if they were family.”

The nurses here always empathize with the wounded and sick soldiers. They understand the sacrifices these veterans have made for the country, and they care for them with all their love and responsibility.

Organizing art classes is a good therapy to help improve the morale of war invalids and veterans with mental and neurological disorders. Photo: Duc Anh

Ms. Thai Thi Ha, a nurse at the Nghe An Mental and Neurological War Invalids Rehabilitation Center, shared: “I was born into a family where both my parents and relatives participated in the fight to protect the country and are war invalids and sick soldiers. Therefore, I deeply empathize with them. We have been here for quite a long time and consider them as fathers and uncles.”

The daily work of the nurses involves taking care of the wounded and sick soldiers' meals and sleep; ensuring they take their medication on time, and checking their health. In their free time, the nurses act as friends, chatting and confiding in the soldiers.

Mentally and neurologically ill war veterans participate in various recreational activities, which helps alleviate their symptoms. Photo: Duc Anh

"When talking to mentally ill war veterans, their stories are often difficult to understand. But we have to be patient. Because through the process of sharing their feelings, they will be able to unburden themselves, helping us to become closer to them. And that, in turn, makes their spirits brighter, more optimistic, and their illnesses will also improve," said Nguyen Huu Trung, a nurse at the Nghe An Mental Health War Veterans Rehabilitation Center.

Nurses always care for wounded and sick soldiers as if they were family members. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

In addition to providing for their daily needs, mentally ill war veterans also participate in physical and sports activities. These activities not only improve their physical health but also alleviate their psychological problems. The rehabilitation center also organizes daily therapy sessions with sound therapy and occupational therapy. Furthermore, organizations like the Youth Union frequently visit the center to organize painting sessions and cultural performances. Through these activities, the veterans' spirits continue to improve.

The war veterans also occasionally participate in labor. This is one of the quite effective forms of therapy. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Mr. Nguyen Thieu Lam, Director of the Nghe An Mental and Neurological Rehabilitation Center for War Invalids, said: “It can be said that the war invalids here are all quite seriously ill and have difficulty reintegrating into the community. Therefore, the Party, the State, and Nghe An province pay great attention to them, and every year there are delegations to visit, give gifts, share, and encourage the war invalids. In addition, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and Nghe An province have invested resources over the years to provide war invalids with spacious, clean accommodation, and increasingly better living conditions.”