Quietly behind the "doors" of the medical profession.

Behind the bright lights of wards and treatment rooms, after tense surgeries or moments of fighting for life, there are still people silently "guarding the gates" every day. Their work is intertwined with the line between life and death, with moments of separation and loss. These are ambulance drivers, funeral home workers—quiet, rarely mentioned, but indispensable to the workings of the healthcare industry.

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"Racing" against death

It was late at night, many people were asleep, when a call came in – the ambulance siren blared, and it sped off into the night. Inside, a critically ill patient needed to be taken to the hospital immediately. The person behind the wheel was not simply a driver, but also someone racing against time.

Mr. Dao Trung Kien, an ambulance driver at Ca Mau Provincial General Hospital, has been dedicated to this job for over 15 years. His work has no fixed hours; whenever the phone rings, he immediately gets to work.

Kien shared: "There are nights when, upon receiving a call, I have to leave immediately. Sometimes it's 2 or 3 in the morning, sometimes it's raining or windy, the roads are slippery, but I still have to drive as fast as I can to get the patient to the hospital on time. Even a few minutes' delay can sometimes affect the patient's life."

For Kien, every time he gets behind the wheel of an ambulance, he always reminds himself to concentrate fully and ensure safety, because behind the wheel is a human life.

Many of his trips involved traveling tens, even hundreds of kilometers, to transport patients to higher-level hospitals. Inside the vehicle, the sounds of ventilators, medical staff exchanging information, and worried relatives filled the air with overwhelming tension.

" Having driven ambulances for many years, I'm used to seeing life and death situations, but witnessing the moment when a patient's family member bursts into tears of helplessness, I can't help but feel a pang of sadness and sorrow, " Kien confided .

Kien shared that every time he drives an ambulance, he always reminds himself to concentrate intensely, because behind the wheel is a human life. Many people may not know his name, but as long as the patient is safely transported to the hospital, he feels happy.

A witness to many "deaths and separations".

If ambulance drivers are associated with the fragile line between life and death, then funeral home attendants are the ones who witness the final moments of a person's life.

In a secluded corner behind the Ca Mau Provincial General Hospital, the funeral home is a place no one wants to go to, but for Mr. Nguyen Van Quy, it's his daily workplace. His work begins when a patient dies at the hospital; he receives the body, preserves it, and assists the family with the necessary procedures before burial.

Mr. Quy shared: " My job might sound scary, but I got used to it after a while. The most important thing is to show respect to the deceased and share in their family's grief. "

Beyond simply looking after the body, he also assists the bereaved family during their most difficult times. Many families from distant regions come, confused by the procedures and unsure of what to do. He guides them step-by-step, from receiving the body and preparing the paperwork to arranging transportation back to their hometown.

Many people have asked Mr. Quy, "Aren't you afraid of working at the funeral home?" He just smiles gently and says, "At first, I was scared, but I simply think of it as a job to help others. When their loved ones are at their most grieving, I support them in arranging a proper funeral for their deceased relatives. That's already a meaningful job."

In a secluded corner behind the hospital, the funeral home is a place no one wants to go; but for Mr. Nguyen Van Quy, it's his daily routine.

Mr. Quy was accustomed to working alone at night in the quiet, cold space. What troubled him most wasn't fear, but the stories behind each life. "There are cases where the family is too poor to afford funeral arrangements, and seeing them cry breaks my heart. At that time, all I can do is try to help them complete all the procedures as quickly and efficiently as possible," Mr. Quy mused.

A leader at Ca Mau Provincial General Hospital shared that: In the hospital's operational system, no job is insignificant. Ambulance drivers and funeral home staff are all crucial links. Without them, many hospital operations would face difficulties.

In the broader picture of the healthcare industry, the spotlight is often focused on doctors, nurses, and medical staff who directly treat patients, but behind the scenes, there is a whole system of unsung heroes providing support. From drivers who transport patients to emergency rooms promptly to those who assist families with funeral arrangements, everyone contributes to the smooth functioning of the healthcare system . These silent, persistent efforts require perseverance, responsibility, and compassion.

Every day, at hospitals across the country, ambulances rush through the night, and the doors of funeral homes silently open and close. There, unsung heroes diligently work, rarely mentioned by name, but always contributing to keeping the hospital's operations running smoothly. Perhaps they have become accustomed to this quiet coming and going, unaccustomed to being the subject of praise, but within the humanistic fabric of the medical profession, they are an indispensable part. Regardless of their position, they not only fulfill their duties but also dedicate themselves to serving the community.

Van Dum

Source: https://baocamau.vn/tham-lang-sau-canh-cua-nganh-y-a127462.html