From the battlefield to the charity clinic
Although he has turned 82, Dr. Nguyen Thu Van (Long Tuyen ward, Can Tho city) is still working hard. Currently, she is still traveling with colleagues, volunteer groups, Red Cross Society staff... to organize many medical examinations, treatments, and give free medicine to people in need.
Doctor Van shared that since she was a child, she had a spirit of commitment. At the age of 13, she left her family to join the revolution, became a secretary to a doctor, and then worked at the Western Region's Civil Medicine Department during the arduous years of the resistance war.
After the country's liberation day, she continued to devote herself to the health sector. After becoming a doctor at April 30 Hospital (old), she held many important positions such as Head of Obstetrics Department, Head of Personnel Organization Department, Deputy Director... until her retirement at the end of 1998.
However, seeing that she was still healthy and capable of contributing, Doctor Van did not allow her to rest. Since 1998, she has started a new journey, which is the journey of compassion.
Over the past 27 years, Dr. Van has devoted herself to remote areas across the country and Cambodia. She has accompanied the Can Tho City Retirement Club, Ho Chi Minh City Hoang Phap Pagoda and many other volunteer groups, overcoming all difficulties. Currently, she still regularly examines patients at two charity clinics located in the center of Can Tho.
During her volunteer journey, Dr. Van has gone through many hardships. She talked about tiring long trips to the Central region, or medical examinations for overseas Vietnamese in the Sea of Lake (Cambodia) during the rainy and stormy season, lacking everything. Once, the car broke down late at night on the way home, the whole group had to wait anxiously in the middle of the vast fields.
In addition to effort and time, Dr. Van also deducts pensions, even receives laundry for students to have more money to buy medicine for poor patients.
Treat the disease with all your heart
Dr. Van's story becomes even more realistic and touching through the stories of patients that the doctor treated.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa (63 years old, Co Do commune, Can Tho city) has a difficult life, the disease makes it extremely difficult for him to travel, while he does not have health insurance. The charity clinic where Dr. Van works is his last hope.
The greatest comfort for Mr. Hoa is not only the free examination and treatment, but also the heart of the old doctor.
Doctor Van cures the disease not only with medicine, but also with heart and sincere care. For the elderly and weak like me, having someone to worry and share like that is very warm," Mr. Hoa said emotionally.
Not only physical health but also mental strength. It is her concern and encouragement that has become a valuable medicine, helping Mr. Hoa and many other patients feel that they are not left behind, not alone in the fight against disease and poverty.
That tireless dedication has brought her many awards, medals, and prestigious certificates of merit. In particular, in 2010, she was honored to receive a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister. In early 2025, she was awarded the 65-year Party membership badge, as a worthy reward for a lifetime of dedication.
According to Dr. Van, she herself finds joy and happiness from the smiles of patients, from the precious affection of friends and colleagues. For that reason, even at the age of 82, while many people have chosen to enjoy joy with their families, she still chooses to continue the journey of compassion, constantly spreading medicine and virtue through her own life.
