The Da Nang Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital under the municipal Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs has provided free medical care for social policy families and those in difficult circumstances, facilitating them to get access to high-quality healthcare services. This hospital's heath care support serves as a lifeline for disadvantaged families at times of dire need.

Tuan and his mother after rehabilitation of walking. Photo: KHANH NGAN

In its efforts to effectively implement the social welfare program launched by the municipal Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Da Nang Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital has provided  free medical treatment for patients from poor and near-poor households. The poor, the needy and the destitute have been provided with free of cost prosthetic limb and orthopedic devices, and rehabilitation and care for stroke, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord, along with free treatments for osteoporosis, trauma injuries, muscle/bone alignment, and surgical treatment for spinal disorders, and more.

So far this year, the hospital has worked with the Departments of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs in some localities of Central Viet Nam has conducted screening tests for around 900 needy patients, of whom,  135 have got access to orthopedic rehabilitation at a total cost of over VND 300 million.

Seven-year-old Hoang Minh Tuan, from Quang Binh Province, recently had a successful limb amputation and prosthesis fitting performed by the doctors at the Da Nang Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital. Unlike his peers, Tuan cannot move normally as he has lost both of his hands and has atrophied legs without feet. All of Tuan's daily activities rely on the assistance of his family members.

Having sought medical advice at various hospitals nationwide, Tuan was unable to find the right medical treatment. However, through a referral, he arrived at the Da Nang Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital, and he then underwent amputation surgery and received prosthetic limbs. Notably, this was the only medical method for him to regain normal movement.

After the surgery, Tuan's health has significantly improved. The doctors used numerous appropriate therapeutic exercise prescriptions to help Tuan promote his rehabilitation to increase muscle strength, reduce of knee joint stiffness, and soften and contour the amputation stump. Following a period of rehabilitation process, Tuan's mobility has significantly improved.

47 year- old Hoang Hai Duy, Tuan's father, explained: "My family works in farming so we do not have a stable income. On top of this, my son was born with a physical disability. My family is filled with overwhelming gratitude for free medical treatment offered by the hospital. Every afternoon, my son and I practice, moving an impressive distance. My son can now move independently on his new feet."

40-year-old Nguyen Duc Quy from Quang Tri Province, was unfortunately involved in a traffic accident, arriving at the hospital having experienced severe cervical spinal cord injury that caused him to develop quadriparesis. Through rehabilitative therapy and electrotherapy, Mr. Quy's health gradually improved, but he still requires daily care and assistance. At the hospital, he was provided with orthopedic devices to practice rehabilitation of walking.

Mr. Quy shared his emotional experience, "My family is living near the poverty line. If we hadn't had health insurance and the hospital hadn't covered the remaining medical costs for me, we wouldn't have been able to afford medical treatments. After receiving dedicated care from the doctors, my health is more stable. I am very grateful for the treatment and aid provided by the hospital."

Besides financially support for treatment and orthopedic devices, the hospital also provides poor patients with financial aid to help them pay for their transportation and food costs during their treatment process. The program carries profound humanitarian significance, helping to alleviate the financial burden on patients and their families. It allows needy patients to get access to qualified medical care, thereby improving their quality of life, and increasing their lifespan.

In addition to offering free treatments for patients from poor and near-poor households, the Da Nang Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Hospital is working with Germany's Deviemed organization to provide free checkups and surgeries for children with facial deformities, such as cleft lip and palate, scarring, tumors in the head, neck, and face area, and other facial abnormalities.

Beyond standard health insurance payouts, the hospital subsidizes remaining expenses for surgical patients. This initiative was developed with the hope of offering new appearances and chances for children unfortunate to have congenital abnormalities. Timely and technically correct surgery can help these patients regain their feeding functionality, improve aesthetics, and create advantageous conditions for future speech articulation. The program operates biannually, in March and September, with over 150 children selected each year for surgical procedures and treatment interventions.

Dr. Do Van Thanh, the Director of the Da Nang Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Hospital, commented that the hospital conducted numerous community outreach drives to raise awareness about the hospital's programs. However, he understands that some individuals, particularly those with mobility difficulties, still encounter obstacles when trying to access heath care services directly at the hospital.

"We will continue to strive to become a specialized hospital and a reliable healthcare service provider for patients. Concurrently, we will persist in specializing training for our medical staff to enhance their professional skills, contributing to meet the healthcare needs of people in the city and elsewhere in the country," Dr. Thanh stated.

Reporting by KHANH NGAN – Translating by THAO TRANG