Innovating primary healthcare delivery

Since mid-July 2026, the Dong Xoai Ward Health Station in Dong Nai City has become a trusted destination for many elderly residents seeking free medical examinations and treatment. For those who are frail, disabled, seriously ill, or have mobility limitations, volunteer doctors and nurses provide home visits, delivering comprehensive health checkups and dedicated care.

Ton Ngoc Hanh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Dong Nai City Party Committee, and Chairwoman of the City People's Council, visits the Daycare for the Elderly model at the Dong Xoai Ward Health Station.

The Daycare for the Elderly and Home-Based Healthcare Team models have been developed by the Dong Xoai Ward Health Station to bring healthcare services closer to the people, thereby gradually realizing the Party and State's policy of universal free healthcare.

Comprehensive healthcare for the elderly

Over the past two weeks, Tran Nhu Chau, 68, of Residential Quarter 1, Dong Xoai Ward, has visited the Ward Health Station every morning and afternoon to receive free healthcare services. Although he lives more than one kilometer from the station, he has asked his daughter or a neighbor's grandchild to take him there after learning about the Daycare for the Elderly model, and he has not missed a single session. According to Chau, he spent many years doing heavy labor, and now he often suffers from joint pain and declining health. When he first came to the health station, he was surprised to see that it was fully equipped with medical equipment and facilities, offering a range of treatment methods suitable for elderly people. Most importantly, the doctors and nurses are very dedicated. “I especially appreciate the cupping therapy, acupuncture, and acupressure. After every treatment, I feel lighter and more relaxed, and I sleep very well at night. Because of the attentive care provided by the doctors and nurses, I come here every day," said Chau.

Do Thi Hiep, 76, of Residential Quarter 2, Dong Xoai Ward, also regularly visits the health station for medical care. She said previously, she used to go to Suoi Cam Park for morning exercise. However, walking there early in the morning or returning late made her worry about traffic accidents. Exercising without proper guidance also made her fear joint injuries, so she gradually stopped going to the park. “Now I am thrilled to come to the health station, where I receive free care, massage, and acupressure from the doctors and nurses. While waiting for my children or grandchildren to pick me up, I can rest on the beds, watch television, or watch the elderly men play chess. We hope the ward health station will continue to develop so that it can eventually become an inpatient treatment facility for the elderly, allowing everyone to receive even better healthcare," said Hiep.

Dr. Nguyen Minh Duc, who holds a master's degree in medicine and is in charge of the Dong Xoai Ward Health Station, said the Daycare for the Elderly model aims to provide a reliable venue where elderly people can receive regular health monitoring, medical consultation, healthcare services, and opportunities for social interaction. He said participants receive medical examinations, consultations, and rehabilitation treatment that combines modern and traditional medicine. The station has 22 staff members, including six medical professionals, six pharmacy professionals, and personnel in other specialties. In addition to meeting the primary healthcare needs of residents in Dong Xoai Ward, the model seeks to provide equitable free healthcare for people from neighboring areas, including Binh Phuoc Ward, Dong Tam Commune, and Chon Thanh Ward. Patients receive various therapies, with the most common being acupuncture, therapeutic massage, herbal foot baths, and pneumatic compression therapy for venous insufficiency.

Besides receiving medical care, elderly visitors can also talk with one another, receive advice, share their experiences, and improve their mental well-being. "The elderly often have many concerns they wish to share. However, many do not know whom to confide in because they are afraid of troubling their children and grandchildren. When they come here, they have many friends of the same age to talk with. Being cared for and regularly asked about their health by doctors and nurses has helped improve their spirits," said Dr. Nguyen Minh Duc.

Bringing healthcare home

Alongside the Daycare for the Elderly model, the Dong Xoai Ward Health Station has proactively brought healthcare services to the homes of frail or seriously ill older residents who are unable to travel independently through its Home-Based Healthcare Team model.

Truong Van Hanh, 76, of Residential Quarter 1, Dong Xoai Ward, was the first resident to receive free home visits and care from the team. Following a severe stroke nearly two years ago, he has been completely paralyzed and blind, with all daily activities dependent on his daughter, Truong Thi Hanh.

When doctors and nurses from the health station visited his home to examine him, monitor his health condition, and provide care guidance, Hanh expressed her appreciation. "I was truly surprised when the Dong Xoai Ward Health Station introduced this model. In reality, many elderly people cannot access hospitals for medical treatment, while family members like us often do not know how to care for them properly, causing their health conditions to worsen. For my father, having doctors and nurses come to our home to examine him and guide us in caring for him is a tremendous source of encouragement. Our family is deeply grateful to the doctors, nurses, and local authorities for implementing such a meaningful model," said she.

To better support residents in circumstances similar to Hanh's, the Dong Xoai Ward Health Station established a five-member Home-Based Healthcare Team comprising a doctor, medical assistants, nurses, and a midwife. The model serves households with elderly residents, seriously ill patients, and individuals whose health conditions prevent them from traveling independently.

Specialist Level I Dr. Huynh Thi Thoi, from the Dong Xoai Ward Health Station, said the team has visited 29 cases since its establishment. During each home visit, doctors and nurses conduct general health examinations, assess patients' conditions, and instruct family members on appropriate care, health monitoring, and complication prevention. The station has also selected about 20 people aged 80 and older with specific health conditions for long-term monitoring through regular home visits once or twice each week. The results are entered into the primary healthcare management software system to monitor disease progression and treatment, thereby reducing pressure on higher-level healthcare facilities.

Dr. Huynh Thi Thoi added, "For bedridden patients, the team instructs family members on physical therapy exercises and repositioning techniques to prevent muscle atrophy and pressure sores. For patients with underlying conditions such as hypertension, stroke, or other chronic diseases, doctors and nurses provide guidance on care, nutrition, and appropriate health monitoring to improve their health and quality of life at home."

According to statistics, Dong Xoai Ward currently has more than 3,300 elderly residents, accounting for 8.2% of its population. Of those, about 300 elderly residents are aged 80 or older, while 1,453 have chronic diseases, representing 44% of the ward's elderly population. These figures indicate that demand for healthcare, health monitoring, and disease management among elderly residents is increasing.

Duong Hoai Pha, Chairman of the Dong Xoai Ward People's Committee, said population aging is occurring rapidly while access to non-public healthcare services for the elderly remains limited. "This requires the development of appropriate care models that bring medical services closer to the people and contribute to achieving the goal of comprehensive healthcare, particularly for the elderly," said he.

"We highly appreciate Dong Xoai Ward for proactively implementing these models at an early stage. To ensure their long-term effectiveness, the health sector will continue strengthening professional support by enhancing the capacity of ward health station staff through training programs and workshops. At the same time, we will promote the application of digital transformation in managing and monitoring people's health, gradually improving the quality of primary healthcare at home and in the community."

Do Thi Nguyen, Director of the Dong Nai City Department of Health

By Quang Minh – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha