At the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, which receives more than 5,000 cancer patients every day, there are silent companions. They may not wield scalpels or prescribe medication, but their presence is a source of emotional support, a bridge connecting compassionate hearts so that no patient is alone on their journey to reclaim life.
Heartwarming "support stations" for patients.
Around 11 a.m., Ms. Le Thi Ty and her colleagues from the Social Work Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital pushed 10 boxes of instant noodles and 2 specialized boiling water pots out to the lobby of the Oncology Hospital's second facility.
At that moment, another colleague was directing patients and their relatives to line up for noodles. While quickly pouring boiling water into each cup of noodles and handing it to each person, Ty reminded them, "The noodles are very hot, please be careful not to burn yourselves. I hope you enjoy your meal!"
This is the "Zero-Cost Noodle Station" activity organized by the Social Work Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, and is one of many activities that this unit has implemented over the years.
Ms. Nguyen Hong Diem, Head of the Social Work Department, said that due to the large number of patients coming to the hospital for examination and treatment, since its establishment, the Social Work Department has always strived to organize many programs suitable for each patient group, such as: "Happy Lunch" for inpatients, "Zero-Cost Noodle Station" for outpatients, "Magical Vehicle" specifically for pediatric patients, "Mobile Vehicle" for patients in the Palliative Care Unit, etc.
During holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), this unit also organizes free transportation for patients and their relatives to return home for the holidays, giving gifts and distributing lucky money envelopes…
In particular, the Hospital's Social Work Department, in collaboration with the Bright Tomorrow Fund of Ho Chi Minh City, regularly organizes meaningful activities for cancer patients in difficult circumstances.
According to statistics, on average, this unit receives 55-65 billion VND annually from benefactors, and all of it is spent on activities supporting patients.
In addition to providing material support, the social work team also organizes activities to support patients emotionally, such as yoga sessions, the "Songs of Love" music program, and programs where doctors play music and patients sing, creating a connection between patients and healthcare professionals.
"We listen to and understand the needs of the people, putting ourselves in their shoes to know what they need and how they need support, so that we can come up with more effective and practical solutions," shared Ms. Diem.
Dr. Diep Bao Tuan, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, noted that the current cost of cancer treatment is a heavy burden for patients, especially the poor. A unique aspect of the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital is that nearly 80% of its patients come from other provinces and cities; therefore, they desperately need assistance, from procedural guidance to financial support and emotional support.
In this context, the Social Work Department, established more than 10 years ago, has become an inseparable part, playing the role of an "extended arm" of doctors and nurses in providing comprehensive care for patients.
Give love to receive smiles.
During her seven years working at the Social Work Department of the Oncology Hospital, Ms. Le Thi Ty witnessed many heartbreaking stories: “I will never forget the case of an 80-year-old woman who brought her 60-year-old son, who had a mental health condition, to the hospital for a check-up. Both mother and son came from a distant province, carrying a large sack full of belongings like clothes and food. They only managed to reach the hospital in the afternoon, almost at the end of the workday. I had to find ways to help them with the procedures, request financial assistance from the hospital, and find free accommodation near the hospital for them to stay overnight.”
According to Ms. Ty, every time she helps a patient, she feels that her work is more meaningful.
Having spent over three years working in social services at the Oncology Hospital, Ms. Nong Thi Le has experienced almost all the tasks of a true social worker, from guiding patients through procedures and answering calls to distributing gifts and serving food to patients and their relatives.
Witnessing Ms. Le guiding each patient through the procedures with the gentlest and most considerate attitude, one truly understands how much they love this job.
"Every time I see the smiles and teary eyes of patients and their families, I feel happy too and realize that this is an incredibly meaningful job," Ms. Nong Thi Le confided.
According to Master's degree holder Nguyen Hong Diem, beyond providing financial support or procedural guidance, the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital is moving towards a more in-depth and modern social work model: establishing a professional counseling room to help patients overcome the initial psychological shock of receiving cancer diagnosis.
The hospital also plans to create social work profiles for all inpatients to understand each patient's circumstances, thereby proactively providing support when needed, instead of waiting for patients to seek help as before.
The hospital is also currently proposing to build free or low-cost accommodation for relatives and outpatients who have difficulty finding lodging.
Despite being officially established only 10 years ago, social work activities at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital have far surpassed the outdated notion of simply "soliciting charitable donations," becoming a place where compassion, love, and empathy for the suffering of patients are sown and spread.
“The unwavering support of the social work team is a crucial factor in giving patients the strength and financial resources to continue fighting their illness to the end. Every smile restored, every worry relieved, bears the silent footprints of social workers – the bridges carrying love and compassion,” shared Dr. Diep Bao Tuan.