A leader of the K Hospital in Hà Nội gives Tết gifts to a patient. — VNA/VNS Photo Bùi Cương Quyết

HÀ NỘI — To ensure that emergency and treatment for patients is not interrupted, and to promptly handle situations arising during the Lunar New Year, hospitals in Hà Nội have arranged adequate staff, drugs, equipment and medical supplies.

In addition, many hospitals also organise activities to celebrate Tết, providing mental and material encouragement to poor patients.

On the days before Tết, the work of doctors and nurses at the Hà Nội Mental Hospital is busier than usual.

Director of the hospital Vũ Ngọc Úy said that this year more than 200 patients would celebrate Tết at the hospital.

They are the ones with severe mental disorders or are too poor and, due to their physical or mental condition, cannot enjoy Tết with their families.

To help patients have a joyful Tết, the hospital assigned specific tasks to every medical worker.

"The hospital treats special patients who don't know how to take care of themselves, so besides taking care of every pill and meal, ensuring enough warm blankets and soft mattresses on cold days, the hospital also pays attention to their mental state and their moods, happiness and sadness,” said Úy.

It coordinates with many volunteer groups and benefactors to give Tết gifts to the patients.

It also plans to receive and treat new patients during the Tết holidays including those with alcohol-induced psychosis and people with relapses due to emotional factors, lack of attention and care.

As for Đức Giang General Hospital, after every Tết holiday, it reviews lessons to better organise emergency response.

Director of the hospital Nguyễn Văn Thường said that the hospital has assigned an all-day duty schedule for leaders and staff during the Tết holiday.

The on-duty teams are required to organise forces and means to respond and promptly handle arising situations.

It also has plans to prevent fires, disasters, mass accidents and prevent cold for patients.

At Bạch Mai Hospital, the board of directors has planned to serve patients with careful preparation.

Director of the hospital Đào Xuân Cơ said that the hospital concentrated its forces in the emergency area, stroke area, poison control centre and cardiovascular centre.

Along with professional work, the hospital held a Tết market with 50 stalls. The stalls offer discounts from 10 per cent to 100 per cent to support poor patients staying in the hospital for treatment during the holiday.

Similarly, Thanh Nhàn Hospital also had a Tết fair for patients. With each voucher, the patients can receive five free-of-charge items.

Nguyễn Sơn Liệu, 83, being treated for cardiovascular disease at the Thanh Nhàn Hospital, said, "This is the first time I participated in the free-of-charge Tết fair. For sick people staying in the hospital while everyone else is eagerly shopping for Tết, participating in the fair and receiving gifts is really meaningful."

​More inspection

During the Lunar New Year holiday, the Hà Nội health sector arranged 114 drug selling points in hospitals, districts and towns.

The municipal Department of Health has also asked units to ensure supply, fully meet people's drug needs and not take advantage of Tết to increase drug prices.

In addition, the department arranges emergency crews at fireworks displays, ready to respond if unexpected situations occur.

At the same time, it requires medical facilities in the area to well organise medical examinations and treatment, be on duty all day during the holiday.

Deputy Director of the Hà Nội Department of Health Vũ Cao Cương said that before and during Tết, the department would form an inspection group to unexpectedly check emergency crews at fireworks displays and emergency rooms of some hospitals.

All cases of unusual incidents, accidents and mass poisoning must be reported to the department’s hotline 024 39985765.

To make Tết safe and avoid health system overloading, Cương said, people needed to maintain good environmental and personal hygiene, keep the body warm, exercise, play sports and improve physical condition.

On the other hand, people should limit drinking alcohol and beer, especially when driving, to avoid traffic accidents.

People with chronic diseases must take medication as prescribed by doctors to avoid disease recurrence during Tết holiday. — VNS