This activity was part of the second Vietnam - Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program, contributing to reinforcing solidarity and friendship between the two countries.
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Vietnamese and Cambodian military medical personnel coordinating in providing free health check-up and medicine for people in Kokisom commune |
At the opening ceremony, Major General Tran Cong Truong, Deputy Director of the Military Medical Department, emphasized that the program is both a responsibility and a sentiment of the two militaries to express gratitude for the help and support of local residents and authorities in border areas. It also provides an opportunity for Vietnamese and Cambodian armed forces to share experience and learn from each other in medical practice and military medical force organization.
After the opening ceremony, the working team quickly carried out their tasks. Military Hospital 175, as the core professional force, had prepared personnel, equipment, chemicals, medicines, and medical supplies to ensure that examinations and treatments were conducted safely, effectively, and meaningfully.
Colonel Dao Duc Tien, Deputy Director of Military Hospital 175, noted that about 2,000 residents living along the Vietnam - Cambodia shared borderline benefited from the program. “We carefully selected staff with political stance and professional competence. This helps enhance the image of military medical personnel in the eyes of the people and strengthens solidarity and mutual learning between the medical forces of the two countries,” he said.
At Kokisom Commune Health Station, resident Chhorn Sousdey expressed excitement about being examined by military medical doctors from both countries. Many residents in the border area face difficulties and do not regularly access medical services. The arrival of the joint medical mission brought joy and confidence, serving as a heartfelt expression of friendship between the two nations.
On the Vietnamese side, the working team provided free medical services for policy beneficiaries in Long Thuan commune, Tay Ninh Province. Military medical personnel from both countries received active support from border guard troops who are good at both the Vietnamese and Khmer languages.
Captain Chang Thong, a doctor from Military Hospital 103 of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, recalled that while surveying the site for the activity, he communicated naturally with local residents thanks to his years of training in Vietnam under bilateral defense cooperation. “We are grateful to both militaries for allowing us to study and train in Vietnamese military academies and hospitals. This has given us knowledge and skills to perform our duties effectively,” he said.
At the Career Services Center in Ben Cau commune, Tay Ninh Province, Vietnamese (mainly from Military Region 7) and Cambodian medical personnel were conducting joint training under variable weather conditions, preparing for an upcoming joint military medical drill. The exercise aims to enhance coordination, command, and disaster response capabilities between the two countries’ medical forces.
Vietnam - Cambodia military medical cooperation has achieved significant results, contributing to strengthening the friendship and comprehensive cooperation. Beyond medical services and joint exercises, the Vietnamese military medical sector has expanded collaboration with Cambodian counterparts through various forms, such as providing free treatment for leaders, officers, wounded and sick soldiers; promoting unit exchanges and twinning programs; sending expert teams to assist in operating medical facilities; supporting human resource training; transferring medical technology; and organizing conferences, workshops, and scientific research activities. During the COVID-19 outbreak in Cambodia, Vietnam provided medical supplies and medicines to enhance Cambodia’s disease prevention and control capacity.
At the 8th Vietnam - Cambodia Defense Policy Dialogue on October 29, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defense Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien affirmed that Vietnam will continue to strengthen comprehensive, trustworthy, and practical cooperation with Cambodia, focusing on delegation exchanges, high-level meetings, effective organization of existing mechanisms, sustainable human resource training, and deepening military-to-military relations.
Building on these achievements, the General Department of Logistics and Technical Services has effectively implemented the Ministry of National Defense’s international defense integration plan until 2020, with a vision to 2030, prioritizing military medical cooperation. Major General Tran Cong Truong highlighted that the good relationship between the two militaries, combined with similar epidemiological conditions, provides favorable conditions for the Vietnam - Cambodia military medical cooperation to expand, deepen, and become more practical and effective, contributing to the task of building a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development, for the benefit of the two peoples and for peace and stability in the region.
Translated by Tran Hoai