The project is implemented on the basis of the Polotsk regional organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society. Four nurses of mercy on a permanent basis provide medical and social services at home to 32 lonely and single citizens.

– The work is hard, and not everyone is capable of doing it. But our nurses are great, they help people wholeheartedly, – noted Lyubov Kleban, chairman of the Polotsk organization of the BRCS.

She emphasized that the mercy service is the visiting card of the Red Cross, has deep historical traditions that are constantly developing. By testing

In search of new forms of work, the Vitebsk regional organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society took part in competitions for the implementation of the state social order, financed by providing subsidies for social services to the elderly, lonely and living alone, as well as disabled people of groups 1-2 who have lost the ability to move. Relevant agreements were concluded with the departments for labor, employment and social protection of seven districts of the region, as a result of which state funding was received for the labor of 16 nurses. In Polotsk, their staff was expanded by three units. The opportunity arose to improve the level of social protection for particularly vulnerable categories of citizens through the implementation of a comprehensive home care model.

Every day, nurses visit their wards to monitor their health. They measure blood pressure, give injections, administer pills, accompany them to the clinic or call a doctor at home, and help them follow his prescriptions. In addition, they perform sanitary and hygienic procedures, provide social and household services, and psychological support. Each person needs an individual approach in accordance with their well-being, lifestyle, and character.

– Sometimes, a grandmother calls several times even after I have visited her. I bring groceries, go to the pharmacy, clean the apartment, wash the windows in the spring. But the main thing is to talk, listen, calm the person down, and lift their spirits, – says nurse Valentina Afanasyeva.

Like other employees, she generously shares her spiritual warmth with her wards, sympathizes with their problems and experiences. With considerable experience in the healthcare system, nurses perform their duties with high professionalism and responsibility.

The Red Cross takes on the most complex patients. They often suffer from serious illnesses, including mental and oncological ones, some have lost the ability to self-care, cannot move, and have been bedridden for years. It is important not only to prepare food and feed these people, change their beds, treat bedsores, change diapers, but also to show sensitivity, to find the right words in communication. This means experiencing part of their suffering through oneself.

It is no coincidence that the wards develop the warmest, most trusting relationships with the nurses. They perceive them as their own people, become attached to them with all their hearts, hug them, kiss them, and cry when parting, and, of course, thank them for their participation, patience, and sincere care.

Over the past year, Polotsk sisters of mercy made 5,770 visits to lonely elderly people, provided more than 10.5 thousand medical services, resolved their household issues more than 4 thousand times, and social issues about 6 thousand times. The service's work is in demand and necessary, and the number of people wishing to use its services is growing.

services. Following the noble mission of their organization, the Red Cross employees bring the ideas of humanism to society in order to change the world for the better with the help of love and kindness.

Larisa Malashenya, photo by the author. "Vitebskiye Vesti".