Although widely seen as a female profession, nursing is gradually becoming a more inclusive profession.
Having been a caregiver for seven years, Le Phuoc Hoang always works with his whole heart.
Hoàng, who works at the Da Nang Oncology Hospital, said nursing requires dedication and patience, which have been long believed to be women’s characteristics.
According to Hoang, he knows how to take care of others when they are sick.
“When any of my family members feels ill, I can take care of them,” Hoang said. "Despite hard work, I think I’m luckier than many patients here. My job keeps me positive that way,” Hoang added.
Vo Thi Anh Tuyet, a parent of a young patient who has been hospitalised for nine months, said Hoang is so nice with his son so the boy admires him.
“He always asks for Hoang to take care of him when needed. I remembered the first days my child was here, Hoang came around all day to see how he was going,” according to Tuyet.
There are now 200 caregivers in Da Nang oncology hospital with only around 10% being males. However, all of them are praised for their dedication and attitude.
Dang Cong Thanh from Da Nang city said: “Normally I see women as caregivers so I am a bit amazed seeing men doing the job. But just that, they are very considerate and enthusiastic. Their positive attitude keeps us upward in disease treatment”.
With their strength and durability, not to mention their less strings attached than women in house work, men have advantages in doing the job which requires time and dedication.
According to Vo Thi Bich Nga, Head of the Nursing Division under the Da Nang Oncology Hospital, male caregivers have some advantages over females as they are stronger and more durable.
“So when having them in night shifts, we feel secure. There are days they have to work all day and night and then have to report in the next morning but still have no signs of exhaustion. So they are much appreciated,” she said.
The stigma against men still runs deep. However with enthusiasm, responsibility and sympathy for patients, these male caregivers still do their job everyday with their whole hearts. Their seriousness seem to pay off with patients’ smiles.-VNA
