In April 2007, under the policy of the Vietnamese and Lao Governments, the Ha Tinh provincial Border Guard Command built Thongpae military-civilian medical station in Khamkeut district, Bolikhamsai province, Laos; invested in equipment for the station and sent qualified military medical staff to perform the task of taking care of local people’s health. Since then, the medical facility of the Ha Tinh provincial Border Guard Command has become a reliable medical examination and treatment address for local people in Thongpae village and other villages, such as Napae, Nahat, Naheuang, Nongor.
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Providing free heath check-ups to border people |
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Viet Duc, Head of Thongpae military-civilian medical station, shared that during the past 10 years, the station has provided health counseling to tens of thousands of people. In the first nine months of this year, the station gave health examination and treatment to 3,950 people at the station; provided free health check-ups and medicines for more than 1,800 people; emergency care for 155 people, and referrals for more than 188 patients.
Apart from providing healthcare service for local people, Thongpea military-civilian medical station has given health check-ups and treatment to Lao border troops. Being treated by doctor Nguyen Viet Duc for many times, Major Khampasert Luanglatbandith, Deputy Head of the Political Division of Company 253, said, “Dr. Duc is a kind person who wholeheartedly helps troops and local people. He is also an interpreter for Vietnamese and Lao border troops. Dr. Duc is trusted and respected by local people, and is one of the bright examples in preserving and nurturing the Vietnam-Laos friendship.”
In Long Sap district, Son La province, Vietnam-Laos border friendship military-civilian medical station was put into operation in July 2017. The station is equipped with modern medical equipment to meet the healthcare needs of troops and people in the border areas of Moc Chau district, Son La province and Sop Bao district, Houaphanh province (Laos).
According to Major Pham Thien Thuat, Head of the Vietnam-Laos border friendship military-civilian medical station, the station has paid much attention to raising medical staff’s capability, effectively implementing preventive health services, and making use of facilities, equipment, and medicines to take good care of the health of people on both sides of the shared borderline, contributing to building a border of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
Besides, medical staff of the station also inquire after families and provide free health check-ups and medicines for people to treat common diseases, while encouraging them to take their children to medical facilities for expanded vaccination, use clean water, ensure food safety and hygiene, and practice environmental sanitation, and instructing them on how to prevent diseases and eliminate backward customs, among others.
In order to accomplish the task of taking care of people’s health in border areas and in Lao localities, medical staff of Vietnam border units have constantly trained to improve their skills. Moreover, medical staff are encouraged to learn the Lao language to support medical examination and treatment.
It can be seen that military-civilian medical stations have become “extended arms” of the border guard force in providing healthcare for troops and people. Through providing medical examination, treatment, and healthcare for the Lao people, the military medical staff has well performed external affairs and people-to-people diplomacy.
Source: baobienphong
Translated by Quynh Oanh