Startings cherished from the hospital

When doctors and nurses become the first relatives of a lifetime

In the Neonatal Department, Children's Hospital 2 in Ho Chi Minh City, where life begins with weak breaths and innocent cries, not every baby is lucky enough to be welcomed into the family's arms. There are living beings who come to the world with twice the fragility: both fighting illness and lacking the warmth of their hearts. For them, the hospital becomes the first home, while doctors and nurses are "temporary relatives".

Nearly 10 years of working at the Neonatal Department of a final-line pediatric hospital, doctor Pham Hoang Nguyen has been familiar with severe cases, but still cannot help but feel sad every time he meets abandoned children. Some children are brought by their parents in the early days of hospitalization, but then when the treatment journey is prolonged, relatives cannot return because of too difficult circumstances, because of their young age, or because of reasons that no one can name.

After 24 hours, no one came to claim it, we were forced to create a dossier for abandoned children according to regulations. But in fact, before that time, the medical team still tried to contact and find every way to connect with the family" - Dr. Nguyen shared.

Each year, the department receives about 5-8 cases of abandoned newborns. The number is not large, but each case is a long story, leaving many regrets for those in the profession. There are babies with underlying illnesses that are not too severe, but prolonged treatment costs, causing families to be exhausted. There are mothers who are not yet 18 years old, confused and afraid of their responsibility as mothers. And there are also families who do not have sufficient legal conditions to continue taking care of their children.

In those cases, doctors not only treat with medical protocols, but also with patience and persuasion. "In many cases, thanks to timely advice and support, parents have returned to pick up their children. Those are always moments that make us feel that all efforts are worthwhile," said Dr. Nguyen.

But if medicine helps children overcome illness, then nurses and nannies are the ones who help them overcome loneliness. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu - Head Nurse of the Neonatal Department, Children's Hospital 2, the biggest difficulty in caring for abandoned children does not lie in expertise, but in emotional emptiness.

Doctors treat diseases, and nurses are the ones who hold, change diapers, and lull babies to sleep every day. We try to give our children the best care, even though we know that it cannot completely replace the role of parents," - nurse Dieu said.

Some babies stayed in the department for many months, even nearly a year. "I remember, a premature baby once had to be on a ventilator for a long time, experiencing sepsis and severe pneumonia. When overcoming the critical stage, doctors and nurses persistently practiced physical therapy, massage, and exercise every day so that the baby gradually recovered. Eight months later, when he was healthy enough to leave the department, on the day of seeing him off, many nurses quietly shed tears. Feeling sorry for him, but we understand that after leaving the hospital, the children will have a better chance of survival" - nurse Dieu emotionally shared.

With more than 20 years of attachment, nurse Dieu has witnessed many generations of abandoned children growing up from the "temporary arms" of nurses and doctors, then carrying hope for a brighter future at the Centers for Social Protection for Abandoned and Disadvantaged Children managed by the State.

And a new year begins again, what the team of doctors and nurses here always desires most is: There will be no more abandoned children. But if that cannot be avoided, then at least in their early days, they will not be alone, they will always be supported by society and loved by the community.

Community joins hands to support disadvantaged lives

If the Neonatal Department is a place to keep life alive, then the Social Work Department of Children's Hospital 2 is the place to keep warmth for abandoned babies. At Children's Hospital 2, this is a fulcrum for them to have a less disadvantageous start, especially during holidays and Tet.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, Deputy Head of the Social Work Department, Children's Hospital 2, as soon as the clinic receives a case of an abandoned child, the Social Work Department will accompany them throughout. From diapers, milk, clothes, household items to toys, all essential needs of the children are supported through the hospital's connection with philanthropists.

Regarding treatment, the departments have done very well. Our part is to ensure that children are not lacking in daily life, so that children can feel care, not feeling abandoned" - Ms. Thuy shared.

Not only providing material support, the Social Work Department also plays a bridging role with families. From psychological counseling, legal procedure guidance to connecting funds to support hospital fees for poor patients, all efforts are aimed at keeping the opportunity for a baby to return to his family's arms.

However, not every case has a complete ending. There are mothers who are not old enough to get a birth certificate. There are families who do not have stable housing and do not have legal conditions to receive their children back. When all efforts fail, the hospital is forced to complete the dossier according to regulations, coordinate with local authorities to transfer the children to orphanage facilities.

That waiting period can last many months, even years. During that time, social workers and nurses become "rotating arms". Some babies have been attached to the hospital for nearly 3 years during the epidemic period. During Tet holidays, the nurses take turns carrying babies home to celebrate spring with their families, and then bring them back to the hospital when they come on duty.

We don't want our children to feel left behind, especially during Tet days," Ms. Thuy said. Therefore, all entertainment and gift-giving activities during holidays and Tet of the hospital are prioritized for young children who do not have relatives by their side. Tickets to participate in the program and Tet gifts are always available, so that they can have a complete spring like other children.

In parallel with care, the Social Work Department still persistently searches for relatives, mobilizing families to return to pick up their children when conditions permit. In case of inability to contact, the transfer of children to shelters is carried out fully and transparently, with the desire that children have a safe living environment and long-term development opportunities.

In the early spring days, somewhere in the hospital, "temporary arms" still silently nurture hope. So that each small life, even if the beginning is not complete, still has the opportunity to grow up in love, and the future of the children, thanks to that, will be much brighter.