A visit from the ambassador.
The St. Bonifatius Hospital Society, Gervie PM GmbH, the town of Lingen and the Emsland Business Association received a special guest. H.E. Dr. Nguyen Minh Vu, Vietnamese Ambassador in Berlin, came to visit Lingen together with his wife Thien Huong.
The official reception in the New Town Hall was followed by a guided tour of the town with the “Kivelingen” – the traditional bachelor association. During the joint events and celebrations, it became clear once again that the Vietnamese and German mentalities go very well together.
Of course, there was also an important perspective reason for the visit. Ansgar Veer, Managing Director of St. Bonifatius Hospitalgesellschaft, described to the ambassador the situation surrounding the shortage of nursing staff in Emsland: “We are a rural region with a lot of heart, but due to demographic developments we also need more and more nursing staff to care for the elderly, which we cannot recruit from the young people in our region alone.”
It is good to know that more than 60 Vietnamese elderly care workers have already been recruited. 35 more care workers will be coming to Lingen in the near future. Ansgar Veer reported that the Vietnamese professionals are an enrichment, especially in the field of care for the elderly: “We experience them as friendly, caring for the elderly, willing to learn and hardworking!
Conversely, Ambassador Dr. Nguyen Minh Vu was impressed by Bonifatius Hospital and Caritas Altenhilfe. He was particularly pleased about the successful integration of his compatriots: “During my visit I saw that the Vietnamese professionals can live here sheltered and safe.” He also explained that old people’s homes were still a rarity in Vietnam. The elderly are mostly cared for by their families, he said, which is why there is a surplus of caregivers in Vietnam. “I am happy that we can support you and benefit from each other!”
