Vĩnh Long Province charity association members prepare meals for poor patients at Cần Thơ City Oncology Hospital. — VNA/VNS Photo

VĨNH LONG — A charity group known as the Acupuncture Association in Vĩnh Long Province has been providing healthcare and shelter for many poor patients over the years.

Physicians here, including veterans and retired cadres, are dedicated to caring for people's health, especially those in difficult circumstances.

The association’s chairman Lê Bình An said that since the start of this year, its members had examined and cured 180,000 patients.

The mobile acupuncture team has contributed to alleviating difficulties for patients and their families living in remote areas.

Besides healthcare, the association has also mobilised groups and individuals to donate money and equipment to build houses for underprivileged families.

The members also organise charity kitchens offering free meals to poor and homeless people.

Established in 2015, the acupuncture group in Đông Bình Commune, Bình Minh Township, a branch of the association, has provided tens of thousands of free meals for patients and their relatives.

Its members also give gifts to poor children and help out with social welfare work.

Võ Thành No, a member of the group, said that every month, they spend 10 days cooking charitable meals for patients at Cần Thơ City Oncology Hospital and their relatives.

“We don’t mind staying up late or waking up early together with some kind people to contribute their efforts to cook nutritious free meals for those who are struggling as their loved ones battle illnesses,” No said.

Võ Thị Tuyết, 68, from Đông Bình Commune, said: “I have been working in the charity kitchen since the early days (2015). It is very difficult and costly for poor patients during their stays in hospital. Eating is also inconvenient, so I want to contribute a little to help patients and their relatives with cheap meals.”

“Staying up late, waking up early is very hard, but everyone is happy to contribute to people in difficult circumstances.”    

Since 2015, Đông Thành Commune’s acupuncture group has mobilised more than VNĐ1.5 billion (US$64,700) to build 390 houses for poor people.

Since early this year, the group has donated materials to 60 poor families who needed to  repair their homes.

Lê Thị Đào, 62, was very happy to have her house repaired, saying she and her husband were both jobless with no stable income.

“Last year, my house was badly damaged by a storm, but I had no money to repair it. We had to stay in the dilapidated house”.

Head of the group Tăng Văn Lẫm said that most of its members were old but still very enthusiastic about charity work. They also directly work on repairing houses for the poor.

Vĩnh Long Province’s Acupuncture Association has so far called on residents to donate land to build headquarters for grassroots branches in communes, aiming at broadening the healthcare network.

It has raised VNĐ13.8 billion ($595,300) so far this year to spend on healthcare and improving people's lives.

The association’s chairman Lê Bình An said: "These charity activities have practically contributed to taking care of people’s health and lives, receiving land, money, facilities and equipment from many people.”

“These activities have aroused the spirit of mutual love among local people.” —VNS