According to a report at the meeting, since 2019, the department has directed military medical agencies of military units to complete missions related to combat readiness and maritime sovereignty protection and ensure personnel and medical equipment for unscheduled missions.
It has also instructed effective disease prevention, health care for troops, consolidation of military infirmaries and hospitals and fixing shortcomings in the implementation of health insurance for military personnel.
Attentively, since the beginning of this year, the military medical sector has made proposals to higher levels on the fight against the acute respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Accordingly, a Steering Board on COVID-19 prevention was established; directives and plans on COVID-19 prevention was issued while a plan to receive Vietnamese nationals returning home from China and other epidemic areas was designed.
Furthermore, the department led units to prepare forces for seven field hospitals, 179 quick-response teams and to closely follow the development of COVID-19 and to be ready on request.
Addressing the meeting, General Lich acknowledged and applauded the military medical sector’s achievements and pointed out their shortcomings that need fixing in the coming time.
The defense chief asked them to continue working with other military and civilian departments to promote COVID-19 prevention, keeping close watch on the developments of the disease to work out in-time response measures and prevent the spreading of the disease in military units.
The department was also urged to further ensure sufficient medical services for urgent situations and missions assigned by the Party, State, military and for ASEAN meetings when Vietnam undertakes ASEAN Chair this year while strengthening grassroots military medical facilities and preventive medical systems. In addition, the sector should effectively perform their position as head of the Directorate of the 2020 ASEAN Military Medical Center.
General Lich also noted the amendment of legal documents on medical examination and treatment, financial autonomy in hospitals, implementation of the planning in military medical infirmaries and hospitals and on the building project of the management center of the Department of Military Medicine.
In the buildup to the 65th Vietnamese Doctors’ Day (February 27, 1955-2020), General Lich wished all military medical personnel good health and happiness and urged them to complete all assignments by the Party, State and military.
Translated by Mai Huong