Vietnam presents 24,000 medical masks to hospital and medical school in Japan

More than 24,000 antibacterial face masks from Vietnam have been presented to a hospital and medical school in Japan, contributing to local efforts regarding the prevention and control of COVID-19.

A Japanese representative (R) receives the face masks donated from CME Vietnam.
A Japanese representative (R) receives the face masks donated from CME Vietnam.

The masks were awarded by Copper Mountain Energy (CME) in Vietnam to Japan’s Ishikawa Hospital in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture and Tsuyama Higashi High School in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture.

Against the complicated background of COVID-19, CME and its partner Kamala Industrial Parks decided to present thousands of antibacterial medical masks to Japanese doctors and students, in order to share in the difficulties faced by Japanese people in the complex epidemic situation, as well as to tighten the friendship between the two peoples.

In documenting this meaningful action, it is impossible not to mention the important connecting role of Nguyen Duc Truong, a former overseas Vietnamese alumni in Japan who is currently living and working in the East Asian country.

Nguyen Duc Truong has participated in various volunteer activities in Japan.

Coming to Japan to study in 2013, the young man from Hanoi, after graduating from Kobe International University, had the opportunity to continue to live in Japan when Toukoukai Medical Corporation (Japan) offered him a job at its Administration Office, with the job of supporting, translating and providing medical advice to Vietnamese students, trainees and workers participating in medical examinations and treatment in Japan.

“In the context of the global pandemic, Japan and other countries across the world are facing a scarcity of medical equipment, especially face masks. The prevention of infection is essential, especially in health facilities. As the COVID-19 epidemic in Vietnam has been brought under control and the demand for medical equipment has decreased at home, I called for a number of Toukoukai's partners in Vietnam to support health facilities in Japan who are facing many difficulties and a shortage of medical masks."

“As the intermediary for this, I am very proud and thank the partners for supporting Japan during this difficult period. I hope the friendship and mutual support between the concerned parties as well as between Vietnam and Japan in general are growing increasingly stronger,” the young man who is passionate about volunteer activities said.

Japan offers a thankful message to over 24,000 medical masks from Vietnam.

At the presentation ceremony, a representative from Ishikawa Hospital said that at present, although Japan is gradually distributing medical masks, the country is still facing a scarcity. “We are truly grateful for the masks,” they said. The hospital will use the donated masks for doctors, nurses and labourers at the hospital, as well as for a local nursing school.

Thanking the Vietnamese donor for the masks, a representative from Tsuyama Higashi School said the school expressed its deep gratitude for the donation as well as the concern and generosity shown by CME and the Kamala Industrial Parks for its healthcare and nursing training activities.