Representatives from the Health Ministry and the hospital unveil the statue(Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Embassy of Sweden in Vietnam and the Central Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics held ceremony on June 2 in Hanoi to place a statue of late Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme in the hospital’s new building named after the PM.
The 20cm wide and 40cm high statue is copied from an original statue of the politician in the Swedish Parliament.
Addressing the ceremony, Director of the Hospital Le Thanh Hai spoke highly of Sweden’s support for Vietnam, particularly in children’s health care.
The late PM contributed greatly to cooperation between the two nations, Hai said.
Olof Palme (1927 – 1986) served as Swedish PM from 1969 – 1976 and again from 1982 – 1986. He was a great friend of Vietnam in the nation’s struggle for liberation.
He pursued cooperation and support for Vietnam in national reconstruction, and helped Vietnam build many facilities, including the National Hospital of Pediatrics, the Vietnam – Sweden Hospital and the Bai Bang Paper Factory.
He strived tirelessly for peace, national independence and equal cooperation among world nations.
Sweden was the second biggest official development assistance (ODA) provider for Vietnam in the 70s, the biggest in the 80s and fourth in the 90s.-VNA
