Helping disadvantaged people access healthcare

Three days a week, the Ngoc Uyen Charitable Traditional Medicine Clinic (Bien Hoa Ward) opens its doors to between 100 and 150 people seeking healthcare. Medical examinations and the dispensing of medicine are entirely free of charge. Only certain services, such as acupuncture and electrotherapy, require a small fee. The practitioners here are all friendly and attentive toward patients.

Dispensing medicine for patients at Ngoc Uyen Charitable Traditional Medicine Clinic (Bien Hoa Ward). Photo: Van Truyen

Currently, the Ngoc Uyen Charitable Traditional Medicine Clinic is one of nearly 50 free traditional and Western medicine clinics serving the poor and other disadvantaged people, maintained by religious establishments.

Supporting nearly 200,000 people with healthcare

Healthcare activities carried out by religious organizations have contributed to the provincial healthcare system, supported public health efforts, and reflected the social responsibility of religious communities in implementing social welfare initiatives.

Among these, the Hospitallers Order of St. John of God operates four traditional medicine and physical therapy clinics, including Thien An Clinic (Long Binh Ward). The clinic is staffed by 20 volunteer doctors and physicians from various specialties, including several retired doctors, who are responsible for providing medical examinations, prescriptions, and ongoing care for the local community.

Hospitaller Brother Vuong Hoai Duc, representative of Thien An Clinic, stated: During its operation, the clinic has waived or reduced treatment fees for low-income patients in areas such as traditional medicine, acupuncture, and physical therapy. In addition, the clinic provides accommodation for patients traveling from distant regions, with more than 400 beds available for those recovering from strokes, accident-related complications, or chronic illnesses.

Nguyen Thi Hien (residing in Trang Bom commune) said: Her husband has been treated for a stroke for some time at Thien An Clinic. The doctors, nurses, and staff here are very friendly and provide a lot of support to the patients' families.

According to Priest Nguyen Minh Chanh, Vice Chairman of the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics in the province, Parish Priest of An Khuong Parish (Tan Hung commune), in addition to Thien An Clinic, Dong Nai Catholicism is operating several other humanitarian clinics, which contribute to caring for the health of thousands of patients. In addition, parishes in the province also support treatment and home care costs for low-income households, families facing sudden difficulties, and elderly individuals living alone during their treatment.

Alongside Catholicism, Dong Nai Buddhism currently operates 15 traditional medicine clinics that support public healthcare efforts. According to Most Venerable Thich Hue Khai, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Dong Nai province, caring for public health is one of the most prominent community-oriented activities of Dong Nai Buddhism. In addition to medical examinations and dispensing herbal medicine, these clinics also offer physical therapy services and in-depth diagnostic care. This endeavor contributes to the provincial healthcare system’s efforts in providing care to the people, in alignment with the guiding motto of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha: Dharma - Nation - Socialism.

For the past 26 years, the Buu Son Pagoda Charitable Traditional Medicine Clinic (Dinh Quan commune) has provided medical care for those in need, especially individuals in difficult circumstances. Most Venerable Thich Minh Dung, abbot of Buu Son Pagoda, said: In 1999, the Charitable Traditional Medicine Clinic began offering free medical examinations and dispensing herbal medicine to the public. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of patients have received healthcare support from the clinic. At the same time, the pagoda also operates the Hoa Sen Trang Private Social Protection Facility, which has been licensed by the state since 2008, providing a home for orphans and elderly individuals with no family support. Through this clinic, healthcare for children and elderly individuals living alone with chronic illnesses can be more proactively managed.

The province currently has 21 social protection establishments licensed by the state. More than half are operated by religious organizations, contributing to the care of people without family support.

Meeting the needs of the people

To continue contributing to people's healthcare, the Traditional and Western medicine clinics run by religious establishments have proposed several solutions to improve the effectiveness of medical examination and treatment activities in 2026.

Firstly, all clinics strive to maintain stable operating hours; employees at the establishments build a good image of monks, nuns, and traditional healers in their interactions with patients and their relatives.

Nguyen Phu Cuong, Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Charity Association, said: Members of the Provincial Charity Association are working together to maintain the Ngoc Uyen Charitable Traditional Medicine Clinic (Bien Hoa Ward). Each individual involved at the clinic demonstrates care and precision in medical examinations, dispensing medicine, and performing acupuncture, while also showing friendliness in interactions to create a sense of comfort and encouragement for patients.

Each clinic also places strong emphasis on strict compliance with regulations governing medical practice at the facility. According to Venerable Thich Nhuan Hanh, Abbot of Hoang Mai Pagoda and direct manager of the pagoda’s Traditional Medicine Clinic (Cam My Commune), the six medical assistants at the clinic are all trained in traditional medicine, having undergone a period of apprenticeship to become familiar with the clinic’s procedures for examination and dispensing. The facility is also equipped with blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters, and other basic diagnostic tools.

In addition, all clinics are actively upgrading their facilities. According to Brother Vuong Hoai Duc, Thien An Clinic recently launched a palliative care unit for homeless and disadvantaged patients with end-stage cancer. To date, 63 individuals have received healthcare support in this unit.

Religious establishments also provide financial assistance to individuals in need of medical treatment. Priest Nguyen Manh Cuong, Head of the Caritas Xuan Loc Social Charity Committee, stated: In 2025, Dong Nai Catholicism implemented life protection initiatives with a total funding of over 12 billion VND, thereby helping disadvantaged people gain better access to medical treatment when needed.

By Van Truyen – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho