Social Workers: The Unsung Heroes of Healthcare in Da Nang

“Miss Binh… Miss Binh!” a young boy, Alang Hai Quan, called out to Tran Cao Thanh Binh, head of the social work department at the Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children, as she walked by.

Binh stopped by the boy’s hospital bed and handed him a coloring book, saying, “Look what I got for you, Quan.”

Quan belongs to the Katuic people, an ethnic minority group primarily residing in Vietnam, as reported by Nhan Dan (People) newspaper.

It has been six long years since Quan was diagnosed with a rare form of myeloid cancer, the same illness that took his sister’s life.

A bone marrow transplant, costing VND2 billion (US$80,000), could save Quan’s life. However, his family, hailing from Quang Nam Province near Da Nang, struggles financially and is unable to afford the treatment. They rely solely on meager earnings from low-paid manual labor.

Desperate to save their son, Quan’s parents have sold their modest family home and now rent a small room in the city. They are doing everything they can to keep their child alive.

“We are grateful for the social workers’ support,” shared Alang Arak, Quan’s father. “Thanks to them, we can afford his monthly medicine, which is not covered by health insurance. They are incredibly kind to our son, providing him with food and treating him like family. They often offer words of encouragement and give him gifts.”

Compassion in the Face of Adversity

Binh is no stranger to last-minute fundraisers for patients at the hospital. On one occasion, she approached a group of volunteers who were distributing gifts to sick children. A poor mother couldn’t afford an ambulance to transfer her child to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Binh’s plea to the volunteers was simple: “Please give me a few minutes of your time; help this mother save her child.” The volunteers listened to the mother’s story, and their hearts were moved to tears. They provided the money needed for the ambulance fee.

Binh has lost count of the times she has helped raise funds for underprivileged patients. Her empathy and dedication to her work are unwavering.

There have also been instances where patients have received life-saving surgery thanks to the collective efforts of hospital workers who raised the necessary funds.

“When you truly empathize with someone’s pain, sharing their story in an authentic way becomes effortless,” Binh shared. “Real stories have the power to touch the hearts of real people.”

A Calling and a Passion

Nguyen Dinh Quoc, deputy head of the social work department at Da Nang Hospital, believes that treating patients like family is crucial to helping them open up and seek assistance. As the primary healthcare provider for central Vietnam, Da Nang Hospital serves thousands of patients daily from diverse backgrounds.

When disasters strike, such as coach accidents or house fires, it is the social work department’s responsibility to offer reassurance and support to those affected. They assist outpatients, guide people through procedures, and provide personalized attention to inpatients, ensuring they receive the help they need.

Some patients require life-saving surgery but lack health insurance or identification. In such cases, Quoc explained, “A social worker must remain composed and proactive. They facilitate the patient’s admission and treatment, contact local authorities to verify the patient’s identity, and prepare legal documents for treatment fees.”

Vuong Thi Thuy Hang, a 32-year-old pregnant woman from Quang Ngai Province, was recently admitted to the hospital. She faced a series of health complications, including sepsis, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Urgent dialysis was required to save both Hang and her unborn child, totaling over VND100 million (US$4,030) in costs.

Hang and her husband borrowed from everyone they knew but still fell short of the funds needed. Thankfully, the social work department at Da Nang Hospital stepped in. They raised nearly VND30 million ($1,200) for her treatment and assisted with completing her insurance process, ensuring she received the care she needed.

“My wife and I had lost our factory jobs a year ago,” recalled Le Pham Duc Anh, Hang’s husband, with tears in his eyes. “I was desperate, not knowing what to do. My wife was in pain, and with a young child to care for, we almost lost hope. We are forever grateful to the social workers for their help.”

When asked about their work, Binh, Quoc, and their team humbly replied that they were merely fulfilling their duty. It is their unwavering dedication, empathy, and compassion that set them apart. They pour their hearts and souls into supporting strangers in their darkest hours.