Happy Buddha’s Final Day in Viet Nam

Yesterday we listened to the rest of the projects that the fellows are designing. I know that this program that I have been working with will bear fruit. All of the fellows have good plans for projects to apply what they have been learning. The projects are quite sophisticated. It is clear that the MOH (Ministry of Health) sees them as leaders and teachers and is expecting change.

In the afternoon we had the Memorial Ceremony at the 09 Center. I have such mixed feelings about the 09 Center. There is great need for emotional, social support and this is clearly the type of place and patient that I am attracted to work with. However, the needs are great and sometimes even an important medicine would be in short supply. However what those who are so close to the end-of-life need is the human touch. Today, I learned about the charge of Uncle Ho was for the “medical staff must be a gentle mother to the country” and that this is the written over the gate of the hospital. I know from working in West Virginia and Cooper Green and the VA, to a degree, that the needs of palliative care are low tech and the human touch. It is of some reassurance that soon 50,000 Vietnamese could be on anti-retroviral therapy and the rate of infection and numbers of infected are now declining. We had a roll call of remembrance with flowers, and messages that we wrote and then burned to release the messages to the world. This was moving and wonderful and I think that seeing smoke as a spiritual connection must be almost universal.

I have also started to receive gifts. I have, with some cleaver packing, been able to get everything into the suitcase. Eric got a mask decoration of Ong Bac who is the mythical teacher that all turn to at times of testing. I on the other hand got the happy Buddha. With my round, face short hair and by report always smiling this was the most appropriate for me. The happy Buddha is everywhere and he is for good fortune, safety and good times. Both of us could use to loose weight and after this trip I think I must try again.

Then began the dinners; as in the Alabama all occasions are occasions for food. Tonight we had a wonderful feast at a restaurant that trains underprivileged young people to work in the food service.

Today we had the graduation and the high officials from the MOH were here to award the certificates and celebrate. Many speeches were given; but all with the theme of bringing palliative care (Cham Soc Giam Nghe) into all the hospitals. Then it was off for a meal again, this time at Dr. Hung’s restaurant and it was a special meal (including tiny baby birds whole). I can tell that this could be a rowdy, fun hang out and fits his personality so well. It reminds me of the Burley Earl.

Only a few more chores to do; I have managed to sale my cell phone back and I know that I have my assigned seats against the window to both look out and sleep against. I will be looking for home to come into view soon. However, everyone wants to know when I will come back and I know that I can not say for sure but I know that I will think of Viet Nam often and I hope that many of my friends here will visit us in Birmingham.