Wholeheartedly serving the community

In recent weeks, a special space has been created right in the Institute of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine - Military Hospital 175. It is the "Relaxation and Entertainment Room" - the result of the ideas, efforts and perseverance of two young people.

Spread positive values

Le Vu Ha Chi (17 years old, currently studying at the Gifted High School - Ho Chi Minh City National University) had the idea of creating a free bookshelf for patients and their families after several visits to Military Hospital 175, realizing that besides treatment, they did not have many other activities. Driven by the desire to bring energy, joy and vitality to those going through difficult times, Chi did not stop at the idea but immediately started to implement it. Chi made a list of suitable books, calculated the costs, designed posters and built a communication strategy, then called for donations. In just a few days, the 12th grade student received hundreds of books. Not only did she receive books donated by people, wait for them to be transported and sorted, Chi also went directly to bookstores to select impressive publications.

This job requires Chi to be patient and flexible when contacting book donors everywhere, because the time to receive the goods is not always convenient. Chi has put in a lot of effort, along with the support of adults and friends, to finally achieve the sweet and worthy results.

On the opening day of the relaxation corner, Chi was moved when she saw the excited eyes of the patients, their families and the medical staff. This place also arranged many items such as: audiobooks; computers for entertainment, reading news; art and intellectual game corner (piano, coloring, chess board, lego); even wigs, bras and hats for cancer patients. The relaxation - entertainment room gradually became an ideal spiritual meeting place for everyone. For Chi, when actions are accompanied by responsibility, patience and creativity, young people can create positive effects, spreading good values to the community.

"In addition to medication and surgery, psychological therapy is also very important for patients. I hope to contribute more positive meaning to the medical care process of patients through my simple work" - Chi confided.

In addition, Chi also founded the "Light of Life" Project, which provides many useful STEM lessons for disadvantaged children, equipping them with scientific knowledge through a series of experimental workshops and a series of carefully and enthusiastically produced school psychology podcasts.

Hết lòng phụng sự cộng đồng - Ảnh 4. — Outside of school hours, Le Vu Ha Chi also spends a lot of time in the relaxation and entertainment room. Photo: XUAN THUY

Extending love

The relaxation and entertainment room of Military Hospital 175 became even more special when Nguyen Pham Vinh Khanh (11th grade student at Vinschool Central Park High School, Ho Chi Minh City) tested aromatherapy right in this space. From a field trip to the Palliative Care Department - where patients are no longer able to be cured or active treatments are no longer significantly effective - Khanh was urged to do something meaningful. He thoroughly and scientifically researched how essential oils affect the human spirit and evaluated the feasibility of implementing aromatherapy in a medical environment.

Although the hospital room was airy, the atmosphere was stifling because of everyone's worries. Patients and their relatives waited for their medicine with heavy hearts, while doctors and nurses were tense and under a lot of pressure. Khanh told himself: "Everyone needs a moment of silence to breathe." The hardest problem for him was choosing a safe scent, capable of dispelling worries without affecting the treatment process.

Khanh spent two months researching essential oils, and surveyed experts and medical staff to ensure appropriate diffusion and a pleasant scent. He created a mixture of cajeput, coffee and lemon to help reduce the fatigue that plagues patients, while also energizing and encouraging medical staff. Khanh hopes to replicate this model in many other public hospitals and receive widespread support from the community. "I just hope that patients will have less pain. When they feel comfortable, they will have more faith in the treatment process," Khanh said. Positive feedback from medical staff and patients helps Khanh and Chi believe in what they do.

Khanh continues his non-profit activities, from releasing baby turtles into the sea to caring for injured wild animals in Cat Tien National Park. Khanh is currently a volunteer at Huong Duong Talking Book Library. Every week, he comes to check for errors in raw reading files, helping to bring books closer to the visually impaired. At the same time, he also joins a research group at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, working with professors to build a molecular docking model to virtually screen potential compounds to treat stage II diabetes.

Khanh is preparing to study stroke first aid in depth, with the goal of training first aid skills for peers and parents in the area where they live. These experiences also help Khanh and Chi learn more about medicine, and at the same time form the foundation for their dream of becoming doctors, practicing with both knowledge and compassion.