Vietnam dispatches second Level-2 Field Hospital to South Sudan

Members of the second Level-2 Field Hospital at the send-off ceremony (Photo: VNA) 

Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of National Defence on November 13 held a send-off ceremony for the second Level-2 Field Hospital which will participate in the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

The activity continues to affirm Vietnam's great role, responsibility and efforts in participating in UN peacekeeping activities for peace and stability in the world.

Addressing the event, Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh said at the send-off ceremony that the sending of forces to UN peacekeeping activities shows Vietnam’s consistent political will and positive policy in contributing to maintaining peace and security in the region and in the world, in accordance with strong commitments by Vietnamese leaders at summits and international forums.

Vinh, who is also head of the ministry's Steering Committee for Participation in UN Peacekeeping Missions, urged the second hospital’s personnel to stay united, overcome hardship and complete all tasks assigned by the country and the UN, contributing to improving Vietnam’s position and prestige in the international arena.

They must always comply with the UN’s peacekeeping rules and discipline on peacekeeping and preventing and fighting sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as regulations on the use of weapons and ensure absolute safety for both people and equipment at the mission, he said.

Speaking at ceremony, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operation Col. Nguyen Nhu Canh said the 63 members of the Level-2 Field Hospital No.2 have received specialised training based on UN standards. Many of them have taken peacekeeping training courses in the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, France and ASEAN member states.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh and participants at the ceremony (Photo: VNA) 

In addition, the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operation coordinated with experts from other countries to organize training courses and drills to provide knowledge related to air emergency, mass trauma emergency, and methods to prevent incurable diseases, towards enabling the hospital to ensure the examination and treatment for a number of patients equal to or more than the UN’s standards.

The UN also asked Vietnam to provide medical support for South Sudanese people.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong gave the order for the Level-2 Field Hospital No.2 to depart for peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

The second Level-2 Field Hospital needs to quickly stabilize its organization, update the security situation in the host country, and complete procedures and training programmes in line with regulations of the UN Peacekeeping Mission, and to learn from the first hospital’s experience and avoid interrupting operation of the field hospital when the first hospital returns home, he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Vo Van Hien, Director of the second Level-2 Field Hospital said so far, the hospital has well completed preparation and is ready to replace the first one.

He asserted the determination of officers and soldiers of the second hospital to well perform tasks assigned by the UN and the UN Peacekeeping Mission.

Vietnam dispatched its first level-2 hospital to the UN mission in South Sudan in October 2018.

Officers and soldiers of the hospital have completed their mission to ensure health care for UN peacekeepers in South Sudan. They also joined defence diplomatic activities and served as medical care-givers to locals.

Since last October, when they first left for South Sudan, the hospital No1 has offered treatment for nearly 1,800 patients, with many life-saving surgeries successfully conducted.

Vietnam has joined UN peacekeeping activities since 2014.

Initially, Vietnam sent individuals in the role of staff officers, liaison officers, and observers to several countries in Africa such as South Sudan and Central Africa.

The No.1 Level-2 field hospital is under the Military Central Hospital 105, while members of the No.2 Level-2 field hospital are from the Military Medical Academy.

The two hospitals were formed to be ready to replace each other in implementing peacekeeping tasks.

They also serve as mobile field hospitals to perform search and rescue missions, provide disaster relief in emergency situations in Vietnam, and participate in multilateral and international drills./.