Heavy with the word "love"

Driver Nguyen Tan Trung assisted in transporting emergency patients at Thoi Hoa Ward Health Station, O Mon District.

To operate effectively, localities with the "Community-Based Humanitarian Patient Transport" model have established a free patient transport management board, along with a rotating team of drivers. The vehicles use the Red Cross emblem and do not charge any fees or remuneration from patients or their relatives (except in cases where family members voluntarily contribute). The drivers are Red Cross members and volunteers who drive without receiving any allowances. These charitable patient transport services are increasingly spreading humanitarian values, attracting many philanthropists to contribute money to purchase vehicles and support fuel costs to develop the model.

To date, Can Tho City has 48 humanitarian ambulances directly operated and managed by the Red Cross Society. Among them is a Toyota HIACE ambulance, donated by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman to the Government of Vietnam, valued at 1.335 billion VND, to enable the Can Tho City Red Cross Society to carry out humanitarian tasks in the city.

According to Red Cross branches in Can Tho City, the charitable ambulance services managed by their units have yielded practical results. On average, these vehicles provide free transportation for over 9,500 patients annually, with estimated transportation costs reaching 3.414 billion VND. In just the first four months of 2025, 2,566 impoverished patients received free transportation, equivalent to 1.304 billion VND. This has contributed to reducing the cost of hospital transfers for poor patients and ensuring timely treatment in emergency cases.

Currently, the O Mon District Red Cross Society manages 10 vehicles across 6 wards, with 6 community-based charitable patient transport management boards and 72 volunteers. The model has proven highly effective, consistently receiving attention from local Party committees and authorities, as well as the empathy and support of the community both within and outside the district, and from benefactors. Ms. Ngo Thi Ut Hau, Vice President of the O Mon District Red Cross Society, stated: “In the first 5 months of 2025, the free patient transport vehicles served 617 poor patients, with a service value of 97.91 million VND. The District Red Cross Society hopes to continue receiving the regular support and cooperation of organizations, individuals, and benefactors…”

Having participated in the free patient transport team in Thoi An ward for nearly 10 years, and later in Thoi Hoa ward, O Mon district, Mr. Nguyen Tan Trung, residing in Hoa An area, Thoi Hoa ward, shared: “On average, I transport about 20 patients with difficult circumstances to hospitals safely each month. During transport, if I encounter victims or traffic accidents on the way back, I provide initial first aid. If the victim is seriously injured, I take them to the emergency room.”

To promote the effectiveness of the "Community-Based Humanitarian Patient Transport Vehicle" model, Ms. Tran Thi Dieu Thu, Vice President of the Can Tho City Red Cross Society, shared: "Going forward, the City Red Cross Society will direct Red Cross Societies at all levels to strictly manage and use vehicles according to regulations; consolidate and develop the volunteer force; organize training in first aid, safe driving skills, and community communication for drivers and volunteers. We will strengthen communication and call for the joint contributions of organizations, individuals, and businesses through various forms: fuel sponsorship, vehicle maintenance, financial support, and providing replacement vehicles to continue carrying out the Society's humanitarian work. At the same time, we will coordinate with the health sector, police, and local authorities to ensure that patient transport is quick and safe."

Text and photos: Xuan Dao

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/nang-mot-chu-tinh--a187649.html