Soothe the pain of wounded and sick soldiers

The pain remains...

In July, we returned to a very familiar place - Nghe An Mental Health Nursing Home for War Invalids. Through the iron gate of the war invalids' living area, we occasionally heard intermittent sounds of "charge, advance". Those were the shouts of the wounded and sick soldiers being treated here. For them, it seemed like the memories of their days on the battlefield were still intact.

In a small, cleanly tiled room, is the residence of veteran Nguyen Van Cuong, from Hoa Thanh commune (Yen Thanh), now over 60 years old, a severely wounded soldier. He once fought in the southwestern border battlefield and was wounded in a life-and-death battle with the Khmer Rouge. The memories of this veteran are no longer coherent, but we tried to listen to understand the glorious days when he fought and was wounded in that battlefield.

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

Veteran Nguyen Van Cuong recalled: “I joined the army in 1978, belonging to the 4th Corps, 9th Division, participating in the battle in the Southwest battlefield. At 2am, January 1, 1979, the Khmer Rouge suddenly attacked our platoon. While we were in the shelter, we were hit by artillery fire. The entire shelter was buried, I was then injured in the head and was taken for treatment.”

Since that injury, Mr. Cuong was no longer himself, sometimes conscious, sometimes unconscious. In the early 1980s, he was discharged from the army and returned to his family. From then on, the disease often relapsed. When he had an attack, he was often agitated; in his garden, he often dug shelters, used sticks and canes as guns to fight...

By 2017, his spirit had collapsed. He could not sleep, his body began to weaken, he was afraid of contact and lived in isolation. With such a condition, his family took him to the Nghe An Mental Health Nursing Center. After a period of care and treatment, veteran Nguyen Van Cuong's health has now improved.

Wounded and sick soldiers are examined and given good health care. Photo: Duc Anh

Let's work together to ease the pain

The small table, in the premises of the Nghe An Mental Health Nursing Area, was filled with the sounds of laughter between the nurses and the wounded and sick soldiers. Stories about their children, families, and comrades were shared intimately with each other. The veterans considered this as their second home. Because here they were taken care of wholeheartedly, with all their love.

In addition to their duties as medical staff, nurses are also like friends and children who always confide in and share with veterans so they can relieve their mental burdens. They find daily joys. Photo: Duc Anh

Veteran Nguyen Van Cuong recounted: “Since coming here, my health has improved significantly, my skin is rosy, my appearance is fresh. In addition to mental illness, I also have many other illnesses, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, but here I am taken care of by the children like family.”

The nurses here always sympathize with the wounded and sick soldiers. Because they understand the sacrifices of the soldiers for the Fatherland. And they take care of the wounded soldiers with all their love and responsibility.

Organizing art activities is a good therapy to help improve the spirit of wounded soldiers and mentally ill soldiers. Photo: Duc Anh

Ms. Thai Thi Ha - Nurse, Nghe An Mental Health Nursing Area shared: “I was born into a family where both parents and relatives participated in the war to protect the Fatherland and were all wounded and sick soldiers. Therefore, I felt very sympathetic when meeting you. We have been here for a long time and consider you as our fathers and uncles.”

The daily work of the nurses is to take care of meals and sleep for the wounded and sick soldiers; give them medicine on time, and check their health. In their free time, the nurses are like friends who talk and confide in the soldiers.

Wounded and mentally ill soldiers can participate in many recreational activities to help alleviate their illnesses. Photo: Duc Anh

“When talking to mentally ill veterans, their stories are often difficult to understand. But we have to be patient. Because through the process of sharing, they will be able to unburden their thoughts, helping us get closer to them. And that also makes their spirits become happier, more optimistic, and their illnesses will also subside,” said Mr. Nguyen Huu Trung - Nurse, Nghe An Mentally Illness Nursing Area.

Nurses always take care of wounded and sick soldiers like family members. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Along with taking care of their lives, the wounded and mentally ill soldiers also participate in physical and sports activities. These activities not only improve their health but also improve their mental health. Every day, the nursing home also organizes therapy sessions with sound and occupational therapy. In addition, organizations such as the Youth Union often come to the nursing home to organize painting sessions and art performances. Thereby, helping the soldiers' spirits become more and more stable.

Disabled 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 Nghe An Mental Health Nursing Area said: "It can be said that the wounded soldiers here are all quite seriously ill and have difficulty integrating into the community. Therefore, the Party, the State, and Nghe An province are very concerned, every year there are delegations to visit, give gifts, share, and encourage the wounded soldiers. In addition, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and Nghe An province have also had investment sources for many years, so that the wounded soldiers have spacious, clean accommodation, and living conditions are getting better and better."