On June 6, the Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Long Bien Ward held the inauguration ceremony for the Daytime Healthcare Center for the Elderly.

The initiative was launched to implement major policies of the Party and State, as well as directives from Hanoi, aimed at strengthening public healthcare, enhancing preventive care, promoting the role of grassroots healthcare services, adapting to population aging trends and ensuring social welfare in the new development phase.

This is the first pilot model of its kind in Hanoi, demonstrating Long Bien Ward's proactive efforts to translate central and municipal policies into practical solutions that directly address residents' needs.

Attending the event on behalf of central agencies were Vu Hong Huy, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health and Sports under the Central Party Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilization, and Pham Vu Hoang, Deputy Director-General of the Population Department under the Ministry of Health.

Representing Hanoi were Vu Thu Ha, Member of the Hanoi Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee; Dinh Hong Phong, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Health; along with representatives from city departments, agencies, the Hanoi Elderly Association and local healthcare institutions.

Representing Long Bien Ward were Nguyen Manh Ha, Secretary of the Ward Party Committee and Chairman of the Ward People's Council; Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Ward Party Committee; Hoang Hai, Deputy Secretary of the Ward Party Committee and Chairman of the Ward People's Committee; leaders of the People's Council, People's Committee, departments, mass organizations, members of the Elderly Association and local residents.

Speaking at the event, Nguyen Manh Ha, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Long Bien Ward, said that the launch of the pilot Daytime Healthcare Center for Older Adults represents a concrete step in implementing central and city policies on protecting, caring for and improving public health.

The center also reflects the ward's determination to build a more comprehensive social welfare system with residents at its core.

According to Ha, Long Bien Ward currently has more than 8,700 older residents, accounting for approximately 13% of the population, while nearly 6,000 people suffer from chronic illnesses requiring regular health monitoring and management.

Many of them are elderly, in poor health, and either live alone or rely solely on their spouses for support.

As urbanization accelerates and family structures evolve, the demand among older adults for care, assistance and community connection has become increasingly evident.

Recognizing this reality, the Party Committee and local government identified the development of a community-based healthcare model as a necessary solution, enabling older adults to access medical services, health consultations, rehabilitation, mental wellness support and social interaction in a convenient setting tailored to local conditions.

Following the implementation of the two-tier local government model, Long Bien Ward proactively reviewed surplus public facilities and explored ways to repurpose them effectively for community benefit.

Based on this assessment, the Thach Ban Medical Point at No. 1, Alley 307, Thach Ban Street, was selected for renovation and conversion into the Daytime Healthcare Center for Older Adults.

A facility that became surplus after administrative restructuring has gradually been transformed into a welcoming healthcare space for senior citizens.

The center includes integrated functional areas such as reception, medical examination, emergency care, rehabilitation, nutrition services, rest areas, community activities, therapeutic exercise spaces and health education facilities.

The model operates as part of the Thach Ban Medical Point under the Long Bien Ward Health Station.

It follows a daytime care format, allowing participants to attend during the day and return home in the evening. It does not provide overnight accommodation or replace inpatient hospital treatment.

Older adults visiting the center will receive health record management, chronic disease monitoring, nutritional counseling, rehabilitation services, psychological support and opportunities to participate in cultural, sports and community engagement activities.

During the development process, Long Bien Ward worked closely with the Hanoi Department of Health and Duc Giang General Hospital to establish operating procedures, provide professional support, train personnel, facilitate remote consultations and coordinate emergency referrals when necessary.

A highlight of the event was the documentary "The Development Process and Operational Vision of the Long Bien Ward Daytime Healthcare Center for the Elderly," which chronicled the journey from concept to implementation.

The documentary illustrated the determination and initiative of the ward's Party Committee, government and residents in transforming major policies into meaningful actions that benefit the community.

In her remarks, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha highly praised the proactive and pioneering efforts of the Long Bien Ward Party Committee, local authorities, Vietnam Fatherland Front organizations and mass associations in implementing the elderly daytime healthcare model in line with city directives.

Ha emphasized that as population aging accelerates, developing comprehensive healthcare models for older adults is not only a social welfare priority but also a humanitarian imperative, helping improve the quality of life for Hanoi residents.

According to the Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, this is a new and challenging task with few comparable models available for reference. However, through strong commitment and careful preparation, Long Bien Ward successfully brought the project into operation.

"It can be affirmed that this is a highly meaningful model that clearly reflects the city's orientation toward preventive healthcare and proactive health management, particularly for older adults," Ha stated.

The Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee also stressed that, as a pilot initiative, the model requires careful evaluation of its practical effectiveness.

After a period of operation, Long Bien Ward should conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of achievements, challenges and emerging issues in order to refine the model and provide a basis for potential expansion across the city.

Ha noted that city leaders, the Hanoi Department of Health and relevant agencies would continue supporting Long Bien Ward throughout the implementation, operation and evaluation of the model to ensure it remains effective, practical and responsive to the needs of older adults.

She further suggested that the center should not limit itself to the goal of helping seniors "live happily and stay healthy," but should continue expanding its activities to maximize its overall impact.

The operating unit was encouraged to introduce additional cultural, artistic, sports, educational, digital literacy and intergenerational exchange programs to create a positive, humane and community-oriented environment.

Ha also highlighted the importance of leveraging the role of older adults within the context of the growing silver economy.

Older adults should be viewed not only as beneficiaries of care but also as valuable social resources possessing extensive experience, knowledge and credibility.

The city will continue exploring mechanisms for collaboration and engagement that enable seniors to participate in appropriate social activities and contribute their wisdom and experience to the community.

"The city hopes this facility will become a meaningful community space where older adults are not only cared for but also inspired, connected and empowered to share positive values with society," Ha said.

Responding to the city's guidance, Nguyen Manh Ha, Secretary of the Long Bien Ward Party Committee and Chairman of the Ward People's Council, affirmed that the ward would continue overseeing the facility's operation in a professional, practical and people-centered manner.

The ward will strengthen coordination among relevant stakeholders and regularly review operations to improve service quality, ensuring that the center becomes a trusted destination for older residents.

As part of the program, the Long Bien Ward People's Committee announced the approval of the Project on the Daytime Healthcare Center for Older Adults in Long Bien Ward for the 2026-2030 period and held an inauguration ceremony and ribbon-cutting event at the facility located at No. 1, Alley 307, Thach Ban Street.

Delegates toured the center, learned about its operational processes and healthcare services, including rehabilitation and mental wellness programs and experienced the community activity spaces, exercise areas, health counseling rooms and cultural activities designed for elderly participants.

The launch of the Daytime Healthcare Center for Older Adults in Long Bien Ward not only helps improve elderly healthcare services at the grassroots level but also opens a new direction for developing community-based social welfare institutions that respond to population aging trends and support the development of a more civilized, humane and modern capital city.