With the fear of illness thanks to social workers

When entering hospitals, patients and their families can easily see images of social workers mixed in with the white coats of doctors and nurses... With them, the worry of illness is somewhat reduced.

Social work staff at Cho Ray Hospital (HCMC) encourage a female patient being treated at the hospital - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

At the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Traditional Medicine on the morning of March 24, a large number of patients came for medical examination and treatment. Many patients were guided by social workers to register for health insurance examination and services, and were assisted in entering the examination rooms.

Suffering from many underlying diseases and having difficulty walking due to pain in her legs, Ms. TN (72 years old) said that every time she came to the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Traditional Medicine, she had her child with her but was always supported by the social work staff. With the kindness and friendliness of the social work staff, Ms. N. felt comfortable and no longer had many worries when she came for a follow-up appointment.

As a special end-of-line hospital in the Southern region, receiving 6,000 - 7,000 outpatients and about 2,500 - 2,800 inpatients every day, Cho Ray Hospital also increased the number of social work staff to guide patients and their families in many areas.

The hospital's social work department is also a bridge between philanthropists and disadvantaged patients being treated at the hospital.

MSc. Tran Thuc Bao - Head of Social Work Department, Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Traditional Medicine - said that social work in hospitals plays a particularly important role in creating a harmonious relationship between the patient's spirit and body, between the patient and medical staff and between the patient and the community.

At the same time, social work is a necessary factor to increase the satisfaction of patients and their families when coming to the hospital for treatment.

Many hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City are also promoting social work activities with many support programs, taking care of patients and their families with costs up to tens of billions of VND.

Since 2016, the Prime Minister has decided to take March 25 every year as Vietnam Social Work Day as a way to honor those who participate in a silent but extremely necessary job in society.

The theme of "Vietnam Social Work Day" in 2025 is "Inter-sectoral coordination in implementing social work activities at medical examination and treatment facilities".

Social work staff at Cho Ray Hospital (HCMC) and family members help a patient sit in a wheelchair to go to the doctor - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

Social work staff guide people to register for health insurance examination

Staff of the social work department of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Traditional Medicine guide people to register for health insurance examination on the morning of March 24 - Photo: THANH HIEP

Staff of the social work department of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Traditional Medicine support people with procedures to register for medical examination services - Photo: THANH HIEP

Social work staff of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Traditional Medicine guide people to the hospital's clinics - Photo: THANH HIEP

The Social Work Department of Children's Hospital 2 (HCMC) organized a birthday party for inpatients - Photo: Provided by the hospital

In addition to strengthening treatment, Children's Hospital 2 also cares about the material life of patients and their families, helping to reduce the burden - Photo: Provided by the hospital

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/voi-noi-lo-benh-tat-nho-co-nhan-vien-cong-tac-xa-hoi-20250324141212462.htm