Children’s Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City opened two classes called ‘Happy Class’ in the departments of neuroinfectious diseases and nephrology-endocrinology last month in order to provide child patients with basic knowledge and create a playground for them while they undergo medical treatment.

The kids were given books, notebooks, and stationery during the classes. The classrooms are equipped with bookshelves, comic books, and crayons.

The children are taught Vietnamese, English, and mathematics on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and life skills on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

As the name suggests, these classes have brought joy to child patients, their parents, and caregivers.

Vo Nhat Thanh Vy, hailing from Tay Ninh Province in southern Vietnam, currently undergoing medical treatment at the department of neuroinfectious diseases, expressed her delight in attending the class.

She appreciates the opportunity to learn, interact with teachers, make new friends, and engage in enjoyable games.

Le Thi Tinh, a resident of Hoc Mon District in Ho Chi Minh City, explained that her child eagerly participated in the class and enthusiastically shared their experiences with her hospital roommates.

Tinh said that the class not only assisted child patients in staying on track with their schoolwork but also contributed to creating a more relaxed atmosphere.

"Witnessing my child being happier and mentally healthier brings me a sense of comfort," she added.

Having a chance to interact with teachers and friends in the ‘Happy Class’ seemed to help the children maintain their attention spans longer than when they undergo homeschooling, according to Quynh Trang, whose four-year-old grandchild with diabetes is in treatment at the department of nephrology-endocrinology.

Trang, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 10, added that her grandchild really loved taking part in the class.

On days when her grandchild has to undergo oxygen therapy, she becomes instantly happy right after the difficult procedure once she is told she can go to ‘Happy Class,’ Trang said.

Since the hospital-bound child patients incline to have lower educational attainment than their healthy peers, the classes are expected to support the former in learning and boost their mental health, said Dr. Truong Huu Khanh, head of the hospital’s department of social affairs.

Two or three teachers are responsible for each class and assign appropriate exercises and games to the kids based on their health conditions and their grade levels, the doctor said.

Khanh revealed that the hospital planned to open more classes at other departments once it has managed to arrange a sufficient number of personnel and volunteers who will provide teaching and learning support to bed-bound patients like those suffering burns or having broken legs.

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