For the first time, there is a house with free food and accommodation for the family of a sick child in difficult circumstances.

A house providing free food and accommodation for families of disadvantaged children undergoing long-term treatment has just been launched in Ho Chi Minh City.

On October 10, RMHC Vietnam (Ronald McDonald House Charities) officially launched the first Ronald McDonald House in Vietnam (496 Nguyen Cuu Phu, Tan Nhut Ward, Ho Chi Minh City). The house is located near the City Children's Hospital and the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital 2. The house offers free meals and accommodation, with safe, clean and comfortable accommodation, and full nutritious meals for families of children aged 0 to under 15 years old.

These are children in difficult circumstances, receiving long-term treatment at the City Children's Hospital.

This free house can accommodate up to 15 families at a time, with each room equipped with basic amenities, along with common living spaces such as a kitchen, living room and children's play area. In addition, there is an electric car to transport children back and forth between the hospital and the house.

The house provides free food and accommodation for 15 families of sick children at the same time. PHOTO: DUY TINH

Regarding the operating process, RMHC Vietnam closely coordinates with hospitals to select families in difficult circumstances, requiring long-term treatment, with priority given to families from remote areas to stay in this free house.

According to Dr. Ho Tan Thanh Binh, Deputy Director of the City Children's Hospital, the hospital has about 1,000 inpatients every day. Of which, the rate of children with serious and dangerous diseases such as cancer, malignant blood diseases, heart surgery, brain surgery... accounts for more than 25%. RMHC Vietnam's operation of the free house, combined with the hospital, is expected to support children and their families in difficult circumstances, living far away, in order to create great community effects.

"City Children's Hospital provides comprehensive pediatric care, from medical to mental, including for relatives. For children in a prolonged treatment or isolation period, the presence of the family not only accompanies the hospital but also helps the child feel secure, increases the strength to quickly recover and return to the family," said Dr. Thanh Binh.

At the launching ceremony, Mr. Rodney Jordan, Director of Global Operations of RMHC, said: "The first Ronald McDonald House in Vietnam is located next to the City Children's Hospital, helping us to accompany and support families who are going through difficult times both physically and mentally. We believe that the success of the first house will create a positive ripple effect, helping to connect many hospitals and health systems across the country. At the same time, it will contribute to shaping family-oriented health care policies in many other localities in the future."

Source: https://ttbc-hcm.gov.vn/lan-dau-tien-co-ngoi-nha-mien-phi-an-o-cho-gia-dinh-benh-nhi-kho-khan-1019749.html