Highlighted gratitude

Taking care of people with meritorious services and families under social policies has always been paid special attention by all levels and branches in the province. In the past 2 years, despite being severely affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, the work has been thoughtfully performed by the province from the necessities and building houses of gratitude to supporting production capital, human resources for children to follow schools. Since then, the material and spiritual life has been constantly improved.

Joy of meritorious people and socially privileged families

This year, regarding the 75th anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27, 1947 to  July 27, 2022), the work of organizing visits and gratitude to the families of people with meritorious services in the province has been increasingly appreciated by all levels, departments and unions. From the countryside to the city, the families of people with meritorious services warm their hearts when they are kindly asked by the provincial leaders and local authorities.

Mr. Nguyen Van Loi (middle), Member of the CPV Central Committee, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Head of the provincial National Assembly Delegation respectfully visits Mr. Tran Xuan Minh, a 74-year-old Party cadre at Phu Tho ward in Thu Dau Mot city. Photo: Do Trong

In joy, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Duong, a 4/4 wounded soldier, living in Phu Hoa ward of Thu Dau Mot city said: “What could be more fun than to welcome delegations of provincial leaders and local authorities? The locals visit to have a cup of tea together, and review the memories of a heroic time, the development of the province over the years. We do not regret our youth and health because now, the old battlefields have become bustling cities and industrial parks that are extended and are on the rise.”

Mr. Duong added that people with meritorious services and socially-privileged families like him are being more and more carefully taken care of. The salary and allowance for war invalids of VND 8 to 10 million dong is not small, not to mention the gifts from local authorities at all levels on holidays and Tet with the contribution from businesses inside and outside the province. Families who need business capital resources will be supported; children who need help will be helped. Those who cannot afford to build a house can be offered a spaciously built one.

Vietnamese heroic mother Thai Thi Thiep living in Phu Tan ward of Thu Dau Mot city this year is now 94 years old, but she is still lucid. Thiep had a husband and eldest son who died in the war. She said, thanks to the care and care from the government to the treatment of illness at all levels, her health is so good. “Every holiday or New Year, the house is crowded with people to visit and give many gifts, I don't remember them all. There were days of so many gifts that my mother told her children and grandchildren in the house to share with the neighbors, but I did not use them all. Seeing that every child in the family is cared for by the locality with stable jobs and having such a prosperous life, nothing more is to think about," said Thiep.

On the way to march in the southwestern border battlefield in 1978, unfortunately, Mr. Le Van Tro, living in Thai Hoa ward of Tan Uyen town, stepped on a landmine and lost both legs when he was very young. He thought that his life back home would be harsh, but then he built a happy, warm and full family. “In order to have a stable life like today, my family received great help from all levels and sectors such as support for livestock capital, housing construction, gifts and necessities, medical examination and treatment. I find the work of taking care of socially privileged families and people with meritorious services in the area over the years is so thoughtful," said Mr. Tro.

To raise the living standards of people with meritorious services

The whole province currently has over 64,000 people who are recognized to receive preferential treatment for people with meritorious services to the revolution. In which, the number of heroic Vietnamese mother is 2,219 people of whom 30 are still alive), 16,833 martyrs, 6,208 wounded and sick soldiers of all grades, 864 resistance activists imprisoned by the enemy etc. Every month, the province provides subsidies to 7,447 subjects with an average budget of over VND 13.3 billion. In addition to the preferential policies of the dentral government, the province also spends additional monthly support according to the Resolution No. 08/2018/NQ-HDND of the provincial People's Council on the policy to support a number of people with meritorious services in the area from January 1, 2019 (the number of people with meritorious services receiving additional monthly support is over 8,000 to require the total budget of over VND 3 billion a month).

On annual holidays and New Year's holidays, provincial leaders thoughtfully visit the families of people with meritorious services in the area. In the photo: Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thao (far right), Permanent Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee visits and presents gifts to Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, a fourth-level wounded soldier in Hung Dinh ward of Thuan An city.

As of June 2022, the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has organized the review, recognition and new processing of 6,507 dossiers of meritorious persons (both one-time allowance and monthly allowance); it has also organized full and timely payment of monthly and one-time incentives for people with meritorious services to the revolution in accordance with regulations. In addition, the department mobilizes organizations and individuals to provide lifelong care for 100% of Vietnamese heroic mothers who are still alive with a monthly support level of VND 1 million or more; health care through the provision of health insurance to receive free treatment when sick or when the injury recurs; Vietnamese heroic mothers and seriously wounded soldiers are cared for according to the medical examination and treatment regime for middle and high grade cadres.

Recently, the province has decentralized to districts, towns and cities to organize for people with meritorious services to receive health care at home and send them to concentrated nursing at nursing centers for people with meritorious services in Khanh Hoa, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Con Dao, Phu Quoc etc. and ensure that people with meritorious services, relatives of people with meritorious services, soldiers, veterans, and young volunteers who are sick receive timely medical examination and treatment. In addition, local authorities in districts, towns and cities in the province also constantly mobilize, take care of and provide timely assistance to policy families in difficult circumstances and need help such as construction, home repair, health insurance cards, job training records, job creation.

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Hang, Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, said: "Following the principle of gratitude, taking care of people with meritorious services and families as always appreciated by the authorities, branches in the province with special attention. Up to now, 99.97% of people with meritorious services in the province have a standard of living equal to or higher than that of the average population in their residence, of which, 1,063 are rich households, 2,412 well-off households, 2,638 average living standards and 2 households whose life is still difficult; 100% of communes, wards and townships maintain the title of communes and wards that do well in the work of war invalids, martyrs and people with meritorious services. The work will continue to be thoughtfully carried out by the province throughout the coming years, especially paying attention to households with extremely difficult circumstances so that families can have an average or higher standard of living.

Reported by Quang Tam – Translated by Vi Bao