Vinh Long Acupuncture Association helps needy people

Vinh Long (VNA) - The Acupuncture Association in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long has been providing healthcare and shelter for many poor patients over the years.

Physicians here, including veterans and retired cadres, are dedicated to caring for people's health, especially those in difficult circumstances.

The Association’s Chairman Le Binh An said that since the start of this year, its members had examined and cured 180,000 patients.

The mobile acupuncture team has contributed to alleviating difficulties for patients and their families living in remote areas.

Besides healthcare, the association has also mobilised groups and individuals to donate money and equipment to build houses for underprivileged families.

The members also organise charity kitchens offering free meals to poor and homeless people.

Established in 2015, the acupuncture group in Dong Binh commune, Binh Minh township, a branch of the association, has provided tens of thousands of free meals for patients and their relatives.

Its members also give gifts to poor children and help out with social welfare work.

Vo Thanh No, a member of the group, said that every month, they spend 10 days cooking charitable meals for patients at Can Tho City Oncology Hospital and their relatives.  

Since 2015, Dong Thanh commune’s acupuncture group has mobilised more than 1.5 billion VND (64,700 USD) to build 390 houses for poor people.

Since early this year, the group has donated materials to 60 poor families who needed to repair their homes.
 
Head of the group Tang Van Lam said that most of its members are old but still very enthusiastic about charity work. They also directly work on repairing houses for the poor.

The Vinh Long Acupuncture Association has so far called on residents to donate land to build headquarters for grassroots branches in communes, aiming at broadening the healthcare network.

It has raised 13.8 billion VND (595,300 USD) so far this year to spend on healthcare and improving people's lives.

The Association’s Chairman Le Binh An said these charity activities have practically contributed to taking care of people’s health and lives, receiving land, money, facilities and equipment from many people.”

These activities have aroused the spirit of mutual love among local people, he added./.