Joining hands on a new journey

In the heart of winter, the cold seeped into every breath. Around five o'clock in the morning, Ms. Hoa stirred slightly and woke up. Her hand searched for the winter coat that had been hastily hung on the back of the chair since the night before—a night of rambling thoughts and sleepless nights. Today was her first working day and that of her colleagues at the Medical Center after its merger with the Bao Yen Regional General Hospital.

First briefing session after the merger.

Her youngest son, a middle school student, was about to have his semester exams. She woke up earlier than usual to prepare breakfast for him, reminding him to study while she worked. The household chores were the same, but her heart felt different; something heavy, hard to name... She rekindled the wood-burning stove in the corner of the backyard, a stove only used on special occasions. The flames gradually caught, flickering and illuminating the cold mist. The scent of roasted sweet potatoes wafted gently through the chilly air, evoking a feeling both familiar and melancholic... She sat silently, watching the fire, letting her memories drift back. Nearly thirty years working in preventive medicine , countless memories and challenges she had faced with colleagues, through so many milestones: from the days of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic to the trips to encourage people to participate in health insurance and family planning… All of it now receded into the past, closing as the old model officially ends on December 31, 2025.

Following the merger, the activities of the two-function regional health center continued to be carried out effectively.

From January 1st, 2026, a new journey begins. She understands that the merger is not just a change in organization, but also a change in habits, job positions, and even professional mindset. She's not alone; many of her colleagues are likely experiencing similar feelings – anxiety, bewilderment, but not pessimism.

Her husband's simple words of encouragement, from someone who was also a grassroots healthcare official, gave her renewed strength. As a Party member and a government official, she understood that this was a major policy for the common good of the people. Regardless of her position, she and her colleagues would strive to fulfill their duties. The first briefing in the hospital auditorium took place in an atmosphere that was both solemn and somewhat reserved. The back rows quickly filled up, eyes hesitant, nods slow, but the concern and sharing of the Board of Directors, especially the frank and approachable guidance of Dr. Pham Hong Viet, the temporary head of the new Regional Health Center, somewhat dispelled the initial distance between the two units. He smiled and said jokingly:

"Those of you who arrived later, please sit up here. The new hospital is still under construction, and there will be plenty of space for all of us then. From today onwards, we're all under one roof. If there's anything you're unfamiliar with, feel free to ask; if you can't do something, let's learn together. Most importantly, don't be shy around each other."

The whole hall chuckled softly, and the tension eased. Another colleague chimed in: "You're going to the treatment department to learn the skills; but we, who are doing the treatment, need to relearn how to work with the community and how to look at the root cause of the disease."

The simple, unpretentious words were enough to make many feel heard and understood. The management team did not shy away from difficulties, frankly acknowledging the professional limitations of the preventive medicine department when transitioning to a treatment environment, but above all, there was trust: trust in the spirit of learning, in professional responsibility, and in the collective effort. The merger was a major milestone, bringing with it many concerns and anxieties. But deep down, each staff member clearly understood that there was still much work to be done, much knowledge to be relearned, and many challenges to overcome. It was precisely in these changes that the spirit of unity, the willingness to learn, and the belief in the leadership of the management team became even more important for the team to gradually stabilize.

The new path may still be fraught with challenges, but with the dedicated tradition of medical professionals, the close guidance of leaders, and the support of colleagues, the merged staff are confident that the Bao Yen Regional Health Center will gradually stabilize, develop, and successfully fulfill its mission of caring for and protecting the health of the people in this new phase.

Thu Hue - Bao Yen Regional Health Center

Source: https://syt.laocai.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/chung-tay-tren-hanh-trinh-moi-1561649