With one hand still attached to the IV drip and the other waving to the rhythm of the song, Ngọc Linh, a patient in the Gastroenterology department of the Central Pediatric Hospital, attentively watched the children perform on stage. The fear of needles piercing her body during each infusion seemed to fade away.
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Children enjoying cultural performances during inpatient treatment have significant therapeutic effects (Photo: giaidieuxanhcuoituan) |
On the afternoon of January 20, the Central Pediatric Hospital held its first music program, “Psychological Care for Hospitalized Children”. The large auditorium was packed with young patients. Some were wrapped in bandages, others smelled of antiseptic, some looked pale and exhausted, while others had lost all their hair due to cancer treatment, and some sat in wheelchairs with their legs in casts, or were being carried by their mothers along with their IV drips… All were intently watching the cultural performances put on by students from Thành Công Primary School. Temporarily forgetting their pain and fears, these children regained the innocence of youth that had been largely stripped away by long days of treatment in the hospital.
Dr. Nguyễn Thanh Liên, the hospital director, stated that allowing children to watch performances during their inpatient treatment has a significant therapeutic effect, especially for those who are hospitalized for extended periods. These children often suffer from severe stress due to frequent examinations, being forced to take medications, receiving infusions, and being confined in the cramped space of the hospital room surrounded by pain. When attending cultural performances, they feel a return to their daily joys and a sense of connection to normal life. The happiness and relaxation help to boost their resilience and facilitate quicker recovery. Therefore, the hospital has collaborated with several schools to regularly organize cultural performances for inpatient patients, approximately every two weeks.
Interrupting Dr. Liên, 8-month-old Hoài Sơn, sitting behind him, cried loudly as the song ended. However, he soon smiled broadly when a new song began, bouncing eagerly in his mother’s arms. The mother shared that Sơn had been injured in an accident and had been feeling weak and fatigued due to blood loss for several days, but was unexpectedly “feeling better” this afternoon. On stage, a beautiful 6-year-old girl was singing; despite her weak voice, her feet danced energetically to the music. With her stylish headscarf and golden locks, few would know that Diệu Thu, the girl’s name, was wearing a wig because she had lost all her hair. Thu is battling leukemia, and the treatment has left her drained. However, when she took the stage, this frail girl was still able to “perform” two songs, finishing with a cheerful bow.
Dr. Đỗ Mạnh Hùng, the program organizer, stated that this is a beneficial activity that is not very costly. Schools are happy to perform for the children for free, as it enriches their social activities and fosters compassion among the students. Therefore, according to Dr. Hùng, regularly organizing music programs for sick children is very feasible.
Hải Hà
