The Journey of Resilient Hearts

Comprehensive Care for Chronic Dialysis Patients: A Priority DirectionChronic kidney disease is not only a medical challenge but also a arduous journey for patients, their families, and the healthcare system as a whole. In this context, a comprehensive care model, jointly implemented by Lê Văn Thịnh Hospital and the ASIF Foundation, serves as a key to improving quality of life, providing practical support in terms of physical health, mental well-being, and financial stability for patients.

Doctor Dang Khoi Nguyen - Le Van Thinh Hospital is examining a patient with chronic kidney disease on dialysis.

The Challenging Journey of Dialysis Patients

Every week, millions of dialysis patients worldwide spend hours in hospitals for blood filtration, while bearing psychological, financial, and social burdens. For them, the treatment journey is endless, requiring continuous support to maintain their health and emotional stability. However, many patients still face isolation, financial exhaustion, and limited access to care services.

Focusing solely on medical treatment while neglecting factors such as mental health, nutrition, and social support is insufficient to ensure patients’ overall well-being. Therefore, the comprehensive care model not only emphasizes treatment but also extends to other critical areas, such as emotional support, enhancing the capabilities of healthcare teams, and improving access to services. At the same time, leveraging technology to optimize treatment processes represents a significant step forward, contributing to enhanced care efficiency.

The Comprehensive Care Model and a Sustainable Direction in Healthcare

“The comprehensive care model has existed for a long time, but this is the first time it has been applied to chronic kidney patients. This can be seen as an innovative breakthrough in Vietnam’s healthcare sector, improving treatment quality and enhancing patients’ lives,” said Phạm Minh Trang, project manager of the “Living well with dialysis” project.

The project not only focuses on directly supporting patients but also invests in training and capacity-building for healthcare teams. Chronic kidney disease is a complex condition that requires deep expertise and multidisciplinary collaboration. Therefore, enhancing the skills of doctors and nurses enables them to adopt advanced treatment methods, stay updated with international trends, and apply them effectively in practice.

“The ASIF Foundation understands that the healthcare team, particularly doctors and nurses working directly with chronic kidney patients, is the cornerstone of ensuring the effectiveness of the comprehensive care model. Training and improving professional expertise not only enhance treatment quality but also foster a stronger connection between healthcare workers and patients,” Trang emphasized.

In addition, the ASIF Foundation collaborates with hospitals to organize workshops, events, and in-depth training programs to expand this care model to other regions. The organization also prioritizes communication efforts to raise community awareness about chronic kidney disease and the importance of comprehensive care.

A New Direction in Treating Chronic Kidney Disease

The new approach to treating chronic kidney disease lies not only in improving medical services but also in a holistic shift in perspective, ensuring patients receive adequate physical, emotional, and financial care. This is not just the responsibility of the healthcare sector but also a call for collective action from the community, hospitals, and related organizations to bring a better quality of life to patients battling illness day and night. For this reason, the ASIF Foundation aims to extend this model beyond Lê Văn Thịnh Hospital, hoping to replicate it in many other hospitals and localities.