The "Community Bookcase" initiative, deployed by the Da Nang Party Committee's Publicity and Education Department at the Oncology Department of the Da Nang Hospital, and the city’s Traditional Medicine Hospital, not only brings spiritual joy for patients and their relatives, but also contributes to spreading the reading culture among patients.

Representatives of the municipal Party Committee's Publicity and Education Department handing over the bookcase to the Traditional Medicine Hospital. Photo: T.P

Implemented in May 2023, the "Community Bookcase" model, placed on the third floor of the Oncology Department of the Da Nang Hospital, is currently decorated with many green trees. Along with gentle music at the end of each day, many patients feel comfortable and relaxed when coming here.

Mr. Pham Quang Hung, a resident from Son Tra District, who has been treated at the department for nearly a year and a half, said "The reading space here is green - clean - beautiful, and there are also cakes for patients to enjoy after each radiotherapy session. This makes patients like us always feel relaxed and forget the stress and pain of illness".

As for Mr. Tran Van Sinh from Ngu Hanh Son District, he is happy to have books as his friends. "Books are not only friends but also a joy that helps me relieve sadness, and have a sharper mind and greater intelligence", he said.

Dr Le Quoc Tuan, Head of the Oncology Department of the Da Nang Hospital said that in addition to medical examination and treatment, the hospital also pays special attention to taking care of the spiritual life and other difficulties of patients.

With the bookcase, many patients and their relatives have found joy and more optimism in the process of medical reatment and care for their beloved ones. The department assigns its staff to clean and arrange books neatly every day as well as remind and raise awareness of everyone in maintaining general hygiene so that the bookcase becomes an attractive corner in the department. At the same time, the hospital also implements the model of "Compassion Cake Cabinet" in the department.

After the infusions of medicine and chemotherapy, soft cakes, milk packages, and water bottles seem to add energy, and are a practical sympathy and sharing with the pain of the patients.

"Notably, the musical programme "Love Songs" is organised once a month. Accordingly, patients can be involved in singing, interacting, and sharing more. Those moments contribute greatly to the treatment of patients, especially for cancer patients", Dr. Tuan added.

In late August 2024, the municipal Party Committee's Publicity and Education Department also deployed the "Community Bookcase" model and presented gifts to poor patients who were being treated at the Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital.

Ms. Tran Thi Duong, hailing from Tien Phuoc District, Quang Nam Province, said that "It's great that the hospital has a bookcase for patients and their relatives to read and relax like this. Thanks to this, we can improve our knowledge, especially our knowledge about treating diseases."

Doctor Nguyen Duy Khanh, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital, said that the bookcasse with about 400 books of various genres such as science, nutrition, culture and entertainment is the desire of all patients here. After hours of medical treatment, they will find books to read and relax. Because reading is also considered a treatment method to help patients reduce stress and slow down the process of memory loss.

“I hope there will be more meaningful humanitarian activities like this to help patients overcome all difficulties during treatment,” Dr. Khanh said.

Deputy Head of the Da Nang Party Committee’s Publicity and Education Department Mai Thi Thu shared that, with the spirit of “sharing love, connecting life”, the skillful mass mobilisation model “Community Bookcase” is a gift given to patients being treated at the Oncology Department of the Da Nang Hospital and the Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital. The purpose is to help patient relax, have more spiritual joy, and be more optimistic to overcome their illness soon.

Not only that, the model contributes to spreading the reading culture in the community. Through reading, patients and their relatives will improve their knowledge, especially knowledge about disease prevention, treatment and nutrition for patients. In the coming time, the meaningful bookcase model will be expanded to other hospitals in the city.

Reporting by THANH PHUONG - Translating by M.DUNG