A place to share from the heart.

The "Understanding and Compassion" accommodation facility at Ninh Thuan General Hospital opened in early August, offering 60 beds to provide free accommodation for family members of patients receiving treatment at the hospital. The facility is a symbol of humanitarian values ​​in healthcare.

Leaders of the Ninh Thuan Department of Health and Ninh Thuan General Hospital cut the ribbon to inaugurate the "Understanding and Compassion" guesthouse.

A home of human kindness

The "Understanding and Compassion" shelter is located at the foot of the overpass near the Intensive Care and Toxicology Department. The dominant gray-blue color not only makes the house look neat and clean, but also helps to alleviate the heat of the intense summer sun upon entering. The single-story house, approximately 120 square ^meters , is simply built and decorated, yet imbued with human kindness and thoughtfulness. The 60 beds in the shelter are divided into two areas: one for men and one for women; wardrobes are used as partitions. Each bed has pillows and blankets; spaced about half a meter apart, allowing for easy movement and assistance to those next to you when needed. The shelter is also equipped with wall-mounted fans, televisions, hot and cold water dispensers, etc.

Following the hospital staff's instructions, Mr. Nguyen Van Manh (from Xuan Hai commune) neatly put away his backpack and personal belongings in the storage compartment, then went to bed number 10 and spread out his newly purchased mat on the iron bed. He couldn't hide his joy because in the coming time, he would have less hardship caring for his relative at the hospital. Mr. Manh's father suffered a stroke more than two months ago and has been treated in the Intensive Care Unit - Toxicology Department. The distance from his home to the hospital is about 21km. Due to difficult circumstances and the long distance from home, he has had to "live and sleep" at the hospital to take care of his father. "Because I couldn't afford to rent a house, for the past two months, I've been sleeping in the hallway in front of the department where my father is being treated, which is quite inconvenient and my sleep is restless... Since hearing that the hospital has free accommodation for patients' families and being given a place to stay, I'm so happy! This place is airy, clean, comfortable, and equipped with all the essential items," Mr. Manh said.

The leaders of Ninh Thuan General Hospital express their gratitude to the sponsors.

In the women's section, Ms. Tu Thi Nhien (Phuoc Dinh commune) was equally delighted to receive a bed at the "Understanding and Compassion" accommodation facility. Sharing the joy with four other relatives of patients who had just been admitted, Ms. Nhien continuously praised the clean and convenient rooms. "I take care of my elderly mother, who is in the Intensive Care and Toxicology Unit. At night, I have to stay overnight, sleeping in the hallway. As women, we are somewhat more inconvenient than men. Hearing that the hospital has this free accommodation made me very happy! Not only is it convenient for daily life, but the rooms also have a loudspeaker system for announcements from the departments, so when needed, the department can call us immediately," Ms. Nhien shared.

Taking us on a tour of the accommodation facility, Dr. Le Huy Thach, Director of Ninh Thuan General Hospital, explained that the building was constructed with lightweight materials, so it doesn't take up much space. The walls are lined with soundproof foam, allowing residents to sleep soundly without worrying about being woken up by noise. In addition to providing free accommodation, about 50 meters from the "Understanding and Compassion" accommodation facility, the hospital has also built separate restrooms, showers, and laundry areas for men and women for patients' family members.

The power of compassion

Before the establishment of the "Understanding and Compassion" accommodation facility at Ninh Thuan General Hospital, many family members of patients being treated in various departments, especially the Intensive Care and Toxicology Unit and the Oncology Department, had to rest in the corridors or on benches. This was extremely difficult and inconvenient, affecting not only their health and morale but also causing disruption and negatively impacting the hospital environment. Recognizing this reality, Dr. Le Huy Thach was always concerned that if the hospital did not take care of the health of patients' family members to support long-term care, it would be very difficult for both patients and medical staff. From this concern, the idea of ​​building a free accommodation facility for patients' family members was formed. After six months of fundraising, the hospital mobilized financial and in-kind contributions from more than 20 organizations and individuals inside and outside the province, totaling approximately 500 million VND, sufficient to fund the construction. And in just over 1.5 months of construction, the house was completed and inaugurated on August 3rd. "Soon, benefactors will support the installation of a solar-powered generator for the shelter," said Dr. Thach.

Mr. Katơr Thép (from Công Hải commune) felt very reassured to be provided with a place to stay at the guesthouse.

Ms. Bui Thi Thu Huong, Head of the Social Work Department at Ninh Thuan General Hospital, said that after its opening, the accommodation facility received a lot of attention from patients' families. However, with the initial number of beds, it certainly cannot meet all the needs. Therefore, for the time being, the accommodation facility prioritizes family members of patients with difficult circumstances, those undergoing long-term treatment in certain departments such as Intensive Care - Toxicology, Oncology, and dialysis patients, with no time limit on their stay, to help them have a place to rest and recover while caring for their loved ones. Hopefully, with the support of the community and philanthropists, the scale will be expanded in the future.

Comfort and thoughtfulness are the compliments we heard from those who stayed at the "Understanding and Compassion" Shelter. As we said goodbye to them, we carried with us the belief that the kindness of those who built this shelter will inspire many other hospitals. And so, the goal of providing comprehensive, warm, and humane care in hospitals will continue to spread.

LY THANH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/y-te-suc-khoe/202508/noi-chia-se-tu-trai-tim-13657ba/