Helpful Covid-19 patient takes care of others at Ho Chi Minh City hospital

A Covid-19 patient who is recovering has tried to help others at the Cu Chi Field Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

A Covid-19 patient, Ha Ngoc Truong, helps doctors take care of other patients after recovering at the Cu Chi Field Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City

For the past two months, the Cu Chi Field Hospital has become a treatment centre for serious Covid-19 patients in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ha Ngoc Truong, 28, is a shop assistant for a cosmetic shop in District 1. He has been staying at the hospital for over 50 days for Covid-19 treatment.

"I used to be in a critical condition and had to use a ventilator," Truong recalled. "But now I'm getting better and recovering very well."

For over a week since taking off the ventilator, Truong has been very active in helping other patients.

"All five members in my family are infected with SARS-CoV-2 and are now being treated at different hospitals," he shared. "We were all serious cases. And since coming here, I've seen how hard doctors and nurses are working. Now I've recovered and I really want to help them take care of other patients."

In his ward, there are over 80 serious patients, most of them are elderly people. They depend on the doctors for all daily activities including having a meal or a bath. Truong can help with lots of work including giving a bath, changing diapers, replacing oxygen tanks, or tidying up the room.

"I can even help wash hair for some women," the man said. "It is my favourite work. I see them as my mum. At home, I used to wash hair for my mum but now she is being treated at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases. I hope she is also receiving good care and treatment there."

Truong washes hair for a female patient

A nurse, Pham Thi Le Phuong, said that three weeks ago, Truong offered to the hospital's board of directors to work as a volunteer here after recovering.

"He's very kind and helpful," she said. "Although he has not fully recovered yet, he is eager to help others. We and many other patients here are all moved to receive his support."