Where war memories live on and gratitude is sent

Most of the people being cared for at the Hai Duong Mental Health Center have experienced war, where the memories still live on in them.

Thanks to good care, the veterans at the Hai Duong Mental Health Care Center are all in stable health.

In late July 2025, we returned to the Hai Duong Mental Health Care Center (under the Hai Phong City Department of Health ) in Tran Hung Dao Ward. Passing through the center's gate, we felt like we were entering a completely different world - where the people cared for and nurtured here are all very special.

Memories like dreams

Separately located in the center is the area for caring for veterans and their relatives with mental illness. This clean, airy area is home to 17 veterans and 46 relatives of veterans. Today is a special day, the veterans are welcomed by many delegations of visitors, who come to give them gifts on the occasion of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, July 27. Knowing that there are visitors, the veterans are very happy, their cloudy eyes still shining, toothless smiles clearly visible on their faces.

But 40-50 years ago, they were young soldiers who did not spare their youth, rushing to the front to protect the Fatherland. Although the war is long gone, the painful memories are still fresh in their minds, becoming indelible scars. When they are sober, they can talk like everyone else, but when the disease relapses, they become completely different people.

In the mind of Mr. Bui Thanh Quang (born in 1964), a 1/3 disabled soldier, from Gia Loc commune, the days of military service are always present.

According to doctors, Mr. Quang used to be an armored soldier. During the battle, he witnessed the sacrifice of so many of his comrades, leaving him with unforgettable memories.

Since entering the nursing home, he has barely communicated with anyone. Sometimes, unconsciously, he performs military commands or simulates holding a gun and shouting “Bang! Bang! Bang!”…

Only when the doctors gently calmed him down did he stop.

Mr. Tran Xuan Liep (born in 1957), a 3/4-class disabled veteran from Phu Thai commune, is one of the people who have been at the center since its establishment. He is still quite agile, remembering the names of his squad, division, and assigned tasks. He has done international missions and talks about his work with all his pride. However, when asked about recent stories, he is vague and cannot remember...

The Center’s Department of Meritorious Service is taking care of 17 veterans. The youngest is 56 years old, the oldest is over 80. They are all old and weak, and have no relatives to directly care for them, so they are sent here. Some have been with the center since its inception, and some will live the rest of their lives here as a second home filled with love and responsibility.

Care with heart

Veterans at the Hai Duong Mental Health Center are cared for by nurses in every meal and sleep.

In addition to 17 veterans, the Department of Meritorious People also takes care of 46 people who are children of martyrs or children of wounded and sick soldiers exposed to toxic chemicals. Although they were born and raised in peacetime, they still have to bear the painful consequences of war.

Understanding these disadvantages, the team of officers, doctors, nurses and staff of the center always work with all affection and responsibility.

Specialist Doctor I Hoang Thi Kim Thoa has been working for many years in the healthcare field for patients at the Department of Meritorious People. Every day, Ms. Thoa and the nurses monitor each patient's blood pressure and drug reactions. Prescriptions are also adjusted according to the patient's condition and disease progression to achieve the highest treatment effectiveness.

In addition to medical treatment, doctors also apply psychological and physical therapy, allowing patients to participate in light physical activities to stimulate the brain and blood circulation, contributing to motor recovery.

Most of the veterans treated here are elderly and have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, etc., so care requires dedication and close monitoring.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhung, Deputy Head of the Department of Meritorious People, shared: "The patients are all old, many of them have shaky hands and cannot eat or drink by themselves. We support them with every meal, sleep, and personal hygiene. Some patients have high blood pressure and have to eat a special diet, while others cannot eat rice, so they switch to porridge, rice paper, or are fed by spoon."

Although taking care of the meritorious people is hard work, the doctors and staff consider it a responsibility and a love. Every time they see the patients relapse, they admire and appreciate their sacrifices and losses even more.

Not only providing physical care, since 2014, the center has also implemented a policy of bringing veterans back to visit old battlefields.

After 6 years of organization, the center has gradually brought patients back to the community through trips to prisons in Son La, Dien Bien Phu, Nghe An, Quang Binh , Hue, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Tay Nguyen...

Although the organization is laborious and risky, all trips are safe and bring positive results. After the trips, patients become happier, more open, better integrated into the community, and especially, they are able to relieve their loneliness after many years of living in seclusion.

THANH HOA

Source: https://baohaiphongplus.vn/noi-ky-uc-chien-tranh-song-mai-va-long-tri-an-duoc-gui-trao-417340.html