The "white-clad" kitchen

Every Thursday, 50-70 meals are delivered to patients' bedsides, a familiar sight at the Bu Dop District Health Center for many years. These meals represent the heartfelt generosity of the doctors and nurses there. In addition to their professional duties, they personally prepare warm meals for the patients.

Meaningful meals prepared by doctors and nurses from the Bu Dop District Health Center are delivered to patients' bedsides every Thursday noon.

A meal of love

Established by the doctors and nurses at the Bu Dop District Health Center, the charitable meal kitchen has been maintained for the past six years thanks to the contributions of time, resources, and love. The doctors and nurses' main duty is to treat illnesses, save lives, and care for the health of the people. However, after their shifts, they begin this meaningful work. To ensure warm, nutritious meals are provided to patients, the members arrive at the kitchen early in the morning. Each person has a task, and the kitchen is filled with laughter, conversation, and a warm atmosphere, because they understand that nutritious meals are also a way to better care for each patient's health. Ms. Dam Thi Xuan, a member of the kitchen, shared: "We believe that delicious, nutritious meals are a practical way to care for patients. Therefore, in addition to our professional duties, we try to cook these meals one day a week to give to patients." Each time I deliver meals, it's also an opportunity to get closer to, chat with, and better understand the circumstances of my patients.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngan Ha, head of the charitable kitchen, shared: "The kitchen's success today is the result of the combined love and care of everyone. Initially, the kitchen was established by the women in the medical center who contributed their time and resources. But now, the kitchen receives support from many people, including the attention of the unit's leadership, the solidarity of the doctors and nurses, and the love and generosity of benefactors. For the past six years, it has become a familiar task; if we can't organize a meal every week, everyone feels sad, as if something familiar is missing!"

On average, 60 meals are delivered to patients receiving inpatient treatment at the center. These meals are prepared with sweat, hard work, and difficulty, yet the kitchen never stops cooking. This meaningful work is not only for doctors and nurses to learn from and follow President Ho Chi Minh's example, but also a practical way for them to share the difficulties with patients. Patients being treated here, whether Vietnamese or Cambodian, all receive meals from the kitchen. Mr. Pre Linh from Keosima district, Mondulkiri province, Kingdom of Cambodia, was moved: "The doctors and nurses here are very kind. They examine patients enthusiastically and even cook meals for the patients. The food tastes as good as home-cooked meals; I enjoy it very much!"

The fragrance of kind hearts

The fact that the kitchen has been able to operate for over six years is thanks to the support of many benefactors. The abundant food supply for patients is also provided by small traders at the market, who always reserve the freshest and best quality ingredients for the kitchen. Every morning, members of the kitchen arrive at the agreed-upon location to pick up the food for preparation. Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh, a regular benefactor of the kitchen, shared: "When I came to the District Health Center, I saw that the kitchen was operating very meaningfully, so I decided to 'connect' with them and support them with vegetables and fruits. Regularly every Thursday morning, the women in the kitchen come to pick up the food. I tell them to always take fresh, delicious vegetables and fruits to cook for the patients. They are sick, so the meals must be nutritious and high-quality so that the patients can eat well and recover quickly."

There are also philanthropists who, upon learning about the meaningful work of the charitable kitchen, have come to provide material support and boost the morale and motivation of the members. Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet, from Thanh Binh town, nearly 80 years old, is one such philanthropist. Ms. Nguyet shared: "I'm old now, so I only come to the kitchen occasionally, but normally I support the kitchen with 500,000 VND per month. I only contribute a little effort; for the kitchen to operate, the children and grandchildren work much harder than me, but I've never heard anyone complain. Everyone is happy because they are doing something meaningful."

The community kitchen operates on a voluntary basis, with each person arranging their own schedule to ensure the work is done and the kitchen is maintained weekly. Each meal is not simply about sharing a meal; it's also a way for each healthcare worker to connect with patients, understand their condition, and provide timely support so that patients can quickly recover and return to their families. This is also a simple and appropriate way for doctors and nurses to learn from and follow President Ho Chi Minh's example of charitable and humanitarian work.

Dr. DANG DUC TOAN, Acting Director of the Bu Dop District Health Center

Each meal at the charitable kitchen, though simple with savory dishes, stir-fries, and vegetable soup, embodies the love and compassion of the "white coat" members and generous donors who contribute to ensuring that warm meals are always delivered promptly to impoverished patients. The smiles and emotional expressions of the patients and their families upon receiving the meals are the motivation for the members to continue striving to maintain the kitchen – an activity deeply imbued with compassion and humanity.

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/9/171611/bep-com-ao-trang