A century of care and compassion unfolds at Quả Cảm Leprosy Camp, part of the Bắc Ninh Dermatology Hospital. This isn’t just a treatment facility; it’s a home for those with leprosy, many of whom have spent nearly their entire lives within its walls. Dedicated medical staff, the silent “nurses” of Quả Cảm, heal not only physical wounds but also soothe the soul.
A Century of Bond with Love
Hidden beneath the Cai Vàng Mountain in Hoa Long Village, Yên Phong District, Bắc Ninh, Quả Cảm Camp was established in 1913. A winding road leads to the living quarters and resting areas of the patients. Priority care is given to the elderly, those unable to care for themselves, meticulously attended by nurses. Elderly patients sit silently by their doors, their gaze directed out into the distance, as if awaiting something, or perhaps simply habituated to their life within this land.
According to Dr. Lê Tiến Kế, Deputy Director of the Bắc Ninh Dermatology Hospital, most patients are over 70 years old; some have been there since the French colonial era, nearing 100 years of age. Many have lost their homes, yet choose to stay at Quả Cảm, despite family obligations, feeling comfortable and settled into their life there after a century.
Dedicated Care and Unwavering Love
The physical scars of leprosy – missing fingers, hands, contracted limbs, or missing legs – mark each patient. However, the unwavering love and devotion of the nurses, caregivers, and doctors at the camp ease the pain, offer comfort, and create a sense of belonging.
The work is demanding, requiring resilience, patience, and empathy in the face of challenging odors, wounds, and the agonized expressions of the patients.
Lifelong Nurses – Bound by Time
Nurses like Vũ Cao Anh and Nguyễn Thị Vân Anh have dedicated their lives to Quả Cảm, caring for patients for years, offering comfort and companionship during their final days. They become family and companions during the patients’ final years.
Nurse Cao Anh shares that not everyone possesses the courage and compassion to work in a leprosy camp, a place once stigmatized. However, their love and dedication drive them to overcome challenges and care for each patient.
Love Transcending Prejudice
While modern medicine offers effective treatments for leprosy, eliminating its contagious nature, dedicated care remains essential to alleviate its lingering effects and lessen suffering.
Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Xuân, a Buddhist nun from the Xuân Hòa sect, has devoted four decades to Quả Cảm, working against societal prejudice to serve those overlooked. She understands that care extends beyond the physical to encompassing the emotional needs of the patients.
The New Generation – Embracing Confidence
Quả Cảm Leprosy Camp has witnessed generations grow and mature. Children of leprosy patients, raised with societal reservations, have overcome difficulties to achieve success in various fields, including engineering, medicine, and the military.
A Thank You and Hope
The Quả Cảm Leprosy Camp is evolving, shedding its isolation and prejudice. This piece is a heartfelt thank you to those who have and continue to silently dedicate their lives to medical service, those compassionate “nurses” offering love, care, and hope to the forgotten.
