Practical training on level-2 field hospital equipment concludes

The Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre (VPC) and the HCM City-based Military Hospital 175 wrapped up a programme on practical training for level-2 field hospital equipment on September 19.

 A first aid drill conducted by officers of the level-2 field hospital (Photo: VNA)
A first aid drill conducted by officers of the level-2 field hospital (Photo: VNA)

The practical training on the equipment used in Vietnam’s first field hospital model, set to join the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan in 2018, began on September 6.

It witnessed the direct engagement of 69 officers and soldiers from the field hospital, along with eight British and seven US experts who have a pool of field experience in peacekeeping operations in South Sudan.

At the closing ceremony held at Division 317 of the Military Region 7 High Command, Sen. Lt. Gen. Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, highlighted that the participation in UN peacekeeping forces aims to realise Vietnam’s foreign policy of peace, cooperation, development, and multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations.

It is also meant to affirm that Vietnam is a trustworthy partner and a responsible member in the global community with active and proactive international integration and practical contributions to peace, stability and security in the region and the world, he added.

Sen. Lt. Gen. Pham Ngoc Minh, who is also deputy head of the Defence Ministry’s steering committee for Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations, said that the practical training is critical since it helps to comprehensively assess Vietnamese peacekeepers’ capacity of deploying, operating, managing, commanding and dealing with medical situations and field hospital withdrawal. It was also a step to prepare for the UN’s pre-deployment examination before the field hospital is sent to the mission in South Sudan in early 2018.

He also appreciated the British and US experts’ assistance for the practical training programme.

US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Mary Tarnowka said that her country always strongly supports Vietnam, helping it to be more confident, active and influential in assisting the international community in order to address any challenges. Vietnam’s engagement in the UN peacekeeping force reflects not only the growing security partnership but also its determination to realise the commitment to global peace and stability.

Meanwhile, UK Ambassador to Vietnam Giles Lever said that the UK pledges to continue assisting Vietnam by providing information, sharing solutions to challenges during the peacekeeping force deployment in South Sudan, sponsoring the foreign language skills improvement programme, and promoting the specialised capacity of military engineers.

Since 2014, the country has sent 19 officers to the UN peacekeeping missions in South Sudan and the Central African Republic.