Every Tuesday and Thursday noon, the cafeteria area at the Điện Biên Phủ Medical Center becomes livelier than usual. Inside the kitchen, freshly cooked pots of rice steam invitingly. On the tables, food trays are neatly prepared with savory dishes, vegetables, soup, and dessert fruits. Some divide the rice, others ladle the soup, arrange food trays, or carry each meal directly to patients’ tables. Unprompted, everyone handles a task with the shared hope that the meals reach patients while still steaming hot, warming hearts and bolstering resilience on their journey to overcome illness.

This scene has become familiar at the Điện Biên Phủ Medical Center since the “Compassionate Kitchen - Zero-VND Meal” program was officially launched over a month ago. Initiated by Phạm Thanh Hà, currently living in Australia, who connects with benefactors to provide financial support, the program receives active coordination and hands-on participation from the center’s doctors, nurses, and youth union members in food preparation and cooking. The program aims to support inpatients in difficult circumstances with free meals, easing cost burdens during treatment while building a friendly, humane medical environment where every patient feels community care and solidarity.

After over a month of operation, the “Compassionate Kitchen” has become a beacon of love and affection for patients. Every week, the kitchen prepares two cooking sessions, serving 120 to 140 free meals per session to underprivileged inpatients at the center. To date, the program has organized 12 sessions, distributing over 1,500 free meals. The cost per session ranges from VND 3.3 to 3.6 million, equivalent to nearly VND 30,000 per meal. Though modest in amount, it is sustained by the continuous backing of generous hearts.

To ensure nutritious and food-safe meals, Nguyễn Thị Mai from Điện Biên Phủ ward, who is in charge of the Compassionate Kitchen, personally selects fresh ingredients and brings them to the center’s cafeteria. There, together with doctors, nurses, and youth union members, she busily prepares and completes each meal. The weekly menu rotates dishes such as meat, fish, eggs, Vietnamese sausage, green vegetables, and fruits, helping patients enjoy appetizing meals and regain health for treatment.

Beyond financial support, benefactors have donated equipment including rice steamers, cooking pots, pans, tables and chairs, bowls and chopsticks, trays, misting fans, rice, and other essential items for long-term kitchen operations.

Receiving a warm meal, Vì Thị Pâng from Nà Tấu commune expressed deep emotion: “During my treatment at the center, I have received full, delicious free meals. This helps low-income families like ours save expenses and focus peacefully on recovery.”

According to Phạm Thị Kim Dung, Team Leader of the Social Work Team at the Điện Biên Phủ Medical Center: “Alongside caring for public health, the center always hopes patients feel closeness and solidarity throughout their treatment. Maintaining the Compassionate Kitchen is a practical and meaningful support activity that not only reduces costs for patients but also spreads the spirit of mutual love, shaping the image of a friendly, humane, and socially responsible medical facility.”

The monetary value of each meal may be small, but behind it lie countless compassionate hearts turning toward patients. The joint contribution of benefactors alongside the dedication of medical staff and silent kitchen helpers has created a deeply humane program, spreading love to underprivileged patients.