Social work: 'Extended arm' in connecting social resources

On March 24, Dong Nai General Hospital held a ceremony to celebrate Vietnam Social Work Day (March 25), 2026.

Deputy Director of the Department of Health Pham Thi Mai Huong presents flowers to congratulate the hospital. Photo: Hanh Dung

At the event, Dr. Ngo Duc Tuan, Level II Specialist, Director of Dong Nai General Hospital, shared that over the past 10 years, the hospital’s social work activities have made remarkable progress. Accordingly, the Social Work Department has become a trusted bridge connecting the hospital, patients, and the community.

Benefactors and hospital leaders present gifts to poor patients. Photo: Hanh Dung

More than 326,700 patient visits, especially involving the elderly and vulnerable groups, have received dedicated guidance on medical examination procedures, mobility support, and information consultation. The department has received and returned thousands of lost documents to their owners. The hospital currently manages several support funds, including the Dong Nai Provincial Fund for Partial Medical Cost Assistance, the Provincial Fund for Cancer Patients, and funding from Sonasezi Industrial Park Development Joint Stock Company.

Over the past few years, these funds have supported more than 12,600 cancer patients and disadvantaged individuals, totaling more than VND 22 billion. This support has helped ease financial burdens and allowed patients and their families to feel more secure during treatment.

Director of Dong Nai General Hospital Ngo Duc Tuan presents a wheelchair to a patient through the patient's relative. Photo: Hanh Dung

In addition, the hospital has assisted 62 homeless patients and foreign patients without relatives, mobilized medical expenses for 439 cases totaling VND 3.6 billion, and coordinated efforts to locate and reconnect families for unidentified patients. Dozens of patients without shelter have also been transferred to social protection centers after discharge, ensuring they receive long-term care and support.

The hospital has actively mobilized social resources, organizing hundreds of donation drives and providing thousands of gifts and free meals to patients.

Dr. Ngo Duc Tuan emphasized that achievements in social work over the past decade have significantly contributed to improving the quality of medical services. The hospital is moving toward a comprehensive care model that places patients at the center. He also highlighted that social work plays a vital role as an “extended arm” in connecting social resources, thereby contributing to social welfare and sustainable development.

The hospital leader expresses gratitude to regular donors who support the hospital. Photo: Hanh Dung

Pham Thi Mai Huong, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, highly appreciated the results the hospital has achieved in social work over the recent period. She also urged the hospital to continue improving professionalism in its social work activities, while maintaining and expanding funding sources to support patients in truly difficult circumstances and to ensure that no eligible cases are overlooked. These efforts, she noted, would help build a friendly, dedicated, and patient-centered hospital.

On this occasion, the hospital and benefactors presented a wheelchair to a patient who had to undergo a leg amputation due to complications from diabetes and gave 50 cash gifts worth VND 500,000 each to patients in difficult circumstances.

By Hanh Dung – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho