THE Shenzhen Hengsheng Hospital in Bao’an District officially opened a long-term nursing ward to the public Monday, which marked a bold stride forward by the city’s private hospitals in exploring the construction of nursing homes, the Bao’an Daily reported.

The mother of a woman surnamed Tian, 68, was the first patient in the long-term nursing ward at the hospital.

“The nurses help me turn over in bed, take a shower, eat and take me out to bask in the sun. They are as intimate as my daughter,” said Tian’s mother, whose left hand and left leg can hardly move due to cerebral infarction.

Tian had hired several caretakers for her mother, but the caretakers have not been able to help take care of Tian’s mother for a long time due to their lack of professional nursing knowledge. Tian tried to send her mother to a seniors’ home, but her mother refused.

“Most of the elderly living here are like Tian’s mother,” said the director of the hospital’s customer service department, who wasn’t named in the Daily report. “We are fully capable of providing long-term medical care for elderly patients who have developed Alzheimer’s disease or cerebrovascular sequelae, and those who cannot take care of themselves due to injuries.”

The long-term nursing ward has 72 beds, including two suites, six single rooms, 20 double-bed rooms and eight triple-bed rooms. The ward is equipped with air conditioning, television, a central oxygen supply and an emergency call system, independent bathroom and shower equipment, laundry and other facilities, according to the hospital.

Meanwhile, the ward is staffed with highly skilled medical workers and nurses who have received strict training and possess specialized nursing knowledge.

After the ward is expanded in the future, the hospital is expected to provide 300 beds for long-term nursing.

(Zhang Yu)