Vietnamese peacekeepers join hands to fight HIV/AIDS in South Sudan

"For U.N peacekeepers, Bentiu has become a second home. Local people are like our brothers and sisters. We share responsibility to fight HIV/AIDS and the COVID-19 pandemic. We wish you a peaceful and bright future," said Lt. Col., Dr. Nguyen Quang Chien, Deputy Director of the hospital at the meeting in response to the World AIDS Day (December 1). The meeting was held at the center of the Protection of Civilians (POC) of the U.N in Bentiu, South Sudan.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese L2FH Rotation 2's delegation coordinated with the medical staff of the Ghanaian unit in the area to carry out meaningful activities such as providing information about community health, guiding measures to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic, and providing free on-site HIV counseling and testing for local people in the POC area in Bentiu.

The Vietnamese blue-berets have left a good impression on local people in South Sudan by participating in the event with the theme "Solidarity for a South Sudan without HIV/AIDS and COVID-19" and activities to consolidate military-civilian ties. A large number of local people gathered in the community zone in the POC area and gave the U.N medical staff a warm welcome.

Since its deployment to the locality, this is the second time the Vietnamese L2FH Rotation 2 has joined activities in response to the World AIDS Day with other units and local people in South Sudan.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan's organizing panel highly appreciated the active participation and practical contributions of the Vietnamese L2FH Rotation 2 and other units, and affirmed that these activities will contribute to repel HIV/AIDS and the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The PANO would like to introduce several photos of the Vietnamese L2FH Rotation 2's activities in this event.

Representatives of the Vietnamese L2FH Rotation 2's delegation in a group photo with local people in Bentiu

Local people and U.N peacekeeping staff officers participate in the meeting in response to the World AIDS Day

On behalf of the U.N peacekeeping medical staff, Lt. Col., Dr. Nguyen Quang Chien, Deputy Director of the Vietnamese L2FH Rotation 2 highlights the significance of World AIDS Day

Participants in the event are given a small gift and a bar of hand-washing soap from the Vietnamese peacekeepers

Participants are instructed on how to wash their hands properly before entering the HIV counseling and testing area.

Medical staff of the Vietnamese L2FH Rotation 2 and Ghanaian unit carrying out on-site HIV screening and testing for local people.

Medical staff of the Vietnamese L2FH Rotation 2 and Ghanaian unit in a joint photo

Medical staff of the Vietnamese L2FH Rotation 2 has actively participated in activities to strengthen public relations in Bentiu, thus making practical contributions to improving health of people in South Sudan.

Translated by Lam Anh