Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - A group of young volunteers in northern Bac Ninh provincehas been supporting self-treating patients as the number of COVID-19cases keeps increasing, causing significant pressure on the localhealth system.

After beingset up for nearly one month, the group, jointly created by the provincialHo Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Youth Federation and the YoungDoctors’ Association, has proved efficient in helping COVID-19 patientsfeel secure.

Vu Thi Mai,from Bac Ninh city, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in mid-March. After threedays, all her family members were infected, forcing them toisolate at home.

Her family metmany difficulties as they could not go out to buy food and medicine. 

However, withthe support of the volunteers, things started to become easier.

"I neededconsultancy from medical workers. After learning about the volunteer groupvia a social network, I could chat with medical workers and get detailedguidelines and consultancy about COVID-19 symptoms and treatment athome, particularly how to take care of my kids," she said.

Members of thegroup also helped Mai buy medicines and deliver them to her house.

Nguyen Thi NgocAnh, a worker from northern Thai Nguyen province, came to Bac Ninh to find ajob but then was infected with the virus and was self-isolated in her rentedroom.

It lefther facing more difficulties as she could not find a joband had to stay at home.

"Most ofthe people in my place are infected with the virus, so I could not ask them togo out to buy medicine. As a newcomer to the province, I did not know manypeople. Luckily, the young volunteers helped me overcome my difficulties,"she said.

"I wasadvised on how to self-treat at home by the group's doctors. The youngvolunteers helped buy medicine and food and delivered them to my place. Ifelt more secure at home with their support."

Anh said shehoped this model would be expanded, particularly atboarding houses in industrial zones, to help disadvantagedworkers in tough times.

The head ofthe volunteer group, Duong Ngoc Duyen, said sub-groups hadbeen established across the province to work around the clock tosupport patients. 

The group hasmobilised more than 500 people, including experienced doctors and nurses.

Thegroup provides patients with psychologicalcounselling and information related to treatment at home; anddeliver medicines, medical equipment and necessities to patients.

The group hastwo people working as information coordinators via its Zalo group chat toavoid missing any questions. They receive patients' questions for medicalworkers to answer directly.

Patients whoneed direct help can request volunteers to come to their homes.

Localvolunteers in communes and districts also visit patients in remoteareas to provide them with prompt support.

Since itstarted on March 1, the group has received and answered more than 2,000questions from over 500 patients and helped buy and deliver medicines andfood for hundreds of households. 

Joining thegroup from the first days, Dr Nguyen Ngoc Hoang of Tien DuDistrict Healthcare Centre said he understood patients' worries andtried to provide directions to help improve their self-treatment.

Healso updates information related to State regulations and policiesregarding isolation and treatment. 

Apart fromproviding online medical consultancy, he has also participated in a localhealth sector group to give offline advice.

Although busy with work,Hoàng often uses his break time, lunch or evening to support patientsand provide assistance to them.

The timelysupport of the young volunteers has helped ease the burden on the localhealth system and made patients feel safe when treating themselvesat home./.