CAN THO : Two elderly farmers in Cần Thơ have opened a small health clinic at their home, and are calling for herbalists to come and treat people for free.

Having seen lots of poor patients, especially ones suffering from seizures and strokes, Lê Văn Tám, 69, and Hai Ri, 64, have invested their savings to create a charity clinic.

According to Tám, initially the clinic was set up at villagers' houses, but as they were small, they could not accommodate the patients. Fortunately, one local household offered to set up a permanent clinic.

In 2017, the charity clinic officially opened in Thoi An Ward, O Mon District, Can Tho. Tam invited physicians and herbalists from nearby areas to assist in treatment and medicine for poor patients. Everything from diagnosis, prescription and providing medicine are completely free.

“The clinic operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and we open from 7am to when we are done with all patients," said Tám.

"In addition to dispensing herbal medicines, the clinic is also equipped with therapeutic aids such as lamps, acupuncture, etc. All kinds of treatment facilities are safely handled before and after every treatment session."

The clinic has been operating for more than five years. The person in charge of regular treatment at the clinic is Herbalist Lê Văn Dư. In addition, there is an executive board, secretary, treasurer and two staff to assist in sanitising.

Although the clinic is small with only 15 acupuncture beds, over the years, Tám's clinic has become a familiar address for many poor patients. On average, each day between 30 and 50 people from inside and outside the province come for medical examination, acupuncture and treatment.

According to Tám, most of the clinic's operating expenses are paid by himself and his associates to help poor patients. The cost to buy acupuncture needles is more than VNĐ2 million (US$83.45) per month, and traditional medicine is collected by local groups.

Trần Hữu Tính, the landowner of the clinic, said: "Seeing Tám's meaningful work, I was happy to offer to lend my land to set up a clinic. Now, every day, when I see people coming for treatment getting healthy on my land, I'm very happy.

  - ANN