Ngoai Mai with a bright smile after 10 years of stroke treatment

Ngoai Mai with a walker, always with a bright smile on her lips, greeted the team of doctors, technicians and patients at the 2025 Lunar New Year party on the morning of January 15.

Ngoại Mai với nụ cười toả sáng sau 10 năm điều trị tai biến - Ảnh 1. — Ngoai Mai gives warm kisses - Photo: HAI QUYNH

The smiles and passionate kisses of Mai's grandmother at the year-end party organized by the rehabilitation department of Cho Ray Hospital (District 5, Ho Chi Minh City) for patients became the focus, creating a lively and cozy atmosphere.

The affectionate name was given by doctors, technicians and patients in the same situation 10 years ago when Ms. Truong Thi Nguyet Mai suffered a stroke and was admitted to the rehabilitation department.

Ngoai Mai shared: "I had a stroke and have been treated here for 10 years. Now I am healthier and do not need regular treatment anymore, but I still come back here every year to meet my brothers and sisters. Sometimes I mistake one person for another, but I miss them so much when I don't see them. At the end of the year, I come back to visit and encourage patients in the same situation to overcome difficulties."

Early on, the rehabilitation department was decorated with gifts and cakes by doctors and technicians for this annual year-end reunion.

If they didn't know in advance, many people would have mistaken this for a class reunion because the laughter and chatter seemed to overwhelm the pain of the previous days.

Ngoại Mai với nụ cười rạng rỡ sau 10 năm điều trị tai biến - Ảnh 2. — Dr. Ngo Duc Hiep - Head of Rehabilitation Department - wishes a happy new year to all patients, doctors and technicians - Photo: HAI QUYNH

The year-end party here originated in 2008 - 2009 and has become an indispensable activity for patients treated at the rehabilitation department.

With many activities to stir up the atmosphere such as performing arts, exchanging gifts, lucky draw, visiting the hospital's Tet flower street, the reunion is also a precious opportunity for patients and doctors - technicians to meet and share after a year, and is also a source of spiritual encouragement for patients being treated at the department.

Master Vu Van Thanh - chief medical technician - said that the small gifts here were partly prepared by the patients to exchange gifts with each other, and partly thanks to Mr. Tran Van Nen - also known as Mr. Nen - contributing to the fun.

Since last week, whenever there is free time, doctors and technicians will wrap gifts, buy cakes and welcome patients who have been and are being treated at the department to attend the reunion.

Not only is it a year-end meeting, the year-end party at the rehabilitation department also has the meaning of a New Year's blessing, like the joy of realizing that the patients' condition has improved after a year.

It is also a deep thank you from the doctors to the patients for their trust and a warm encouragement for a year of hard work together.