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Doctor Quan Thu Thuy providing health checkup to a patient |
The second level-2 field hospital of Vietnam has ten female members on its medical staff who were carefully selected from military hospitals across the country. Being chosen for the team, personnel from the field hospital in general and female staff in particular had to undergo strict medical checks, reach a certain IELTS level and take part in a training courses on healthcare, life skills, martial art, and swimming, among others. The careful training has enabled the Vietnamese female medical staff to confidently perform their mission in a country with harsh weather conditions.
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Nurse Ta Thi Kieu Oanh is taking care of a patient. |
Tasked to provide health checkups and treatment to patients with serious illnesses and cases that are difficult to diagnose, Vietnamese doctor Major Quan Thu Thuy impressed patients in Bentiu with her hospitality, gentleness and enthusiasm. Her thoughtfulness has helped patients feel more secure and been appreciated by her colleagues.
As the oldest among ten female officers, non-commissioned Major Ta Thi Kieu Hoa, a nurse from Le Huu Trac National Institute of Burns, has always shown great devotion to her job. She is always thinking about how to help patients recover in the shortest amount of time after physical therapy.
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Vietnamese medical staff and their colleagues from Ghana |
Together with regular missions, the ten “roses” of the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 2 of Vietnam can also perform all the tasks as men, such as guard, cultivating vegetables and cooking. Everyday, they take turns watering different kinds of vegetables to ensure they can survive in the harsh conditions in Bentiu. In their free time, the Vietnamese female peacekeepers grow mung bean sprouts to improve the daily meals of officers. The plants also help embellish their base.
The ten women are also active participants in cultural exchanges, which help popularize the images of Vietnam and its people to international friends. The image of graceful Vietnamese officers in the Ao dai (traditional long dress of the Vietnamese people) has impressed international friends at the UN Mission in South Sudan.
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Vietnamese staff taking care of vegetables |
Regarding planting vegetables and sporting activities, non-commissioned Captain and his wife, Captain Doctor Le Hong Van, are examples. In spite of her busy work schedule, Van spends her free time taking care of vegetables. She has also inspired other members of the level-2 field hospital with her passion for sports and her high awareness of health. “As the weather in Bentiu is harsh, and disease development is complicated, one of the top priorities of the team is to stay healthy,” said Van.
Furthermore, doctor Van is also one of the members who have contributed to strengthening solidarity among units in the mission. With her enthusiasm and thoughtfulness, she won the hearts of female patients in the hospital.
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“Roses” of the level-2 field hospital of Vietnam in the Ao dai |
It is evident that the ten “roses” of the second level-2 field hospital of Vietnam have successfully performed their mandate, contributing greatly to the common efforts in taking care of the personnel of the U.N. and local people in South Sudan and raising the image of the level-2 field hospital of Vietnam in particular and Vietnam in general in the hearts of international friends.
Reported by Trong Nghia (from Bentiu)
Translated by Tran Hoai