Logistics Troops Contributes To Success Of Vietnam’s Level 2 Field Hospital In South Sudan

Along with doctors and nurses, 11 workers from the Logistics Unit under Vietnam’s Level 2 Field Hospital (L2FH) Rotation 3 undertaking missions in South Sudan have contributed to the success of the hospital.
July 13, 2021 | 07:35
UN Peacekeepers stationed in South Sudan pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh UN Peacekeepers stationed in South Sudan pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh
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Vietnam continues contributing to UN mission in South Sudan Vietnam continues contributing to UN mission in South Sudan
L2FH Rotation 3’s personnel, including members of the Logistics Unit, at a send-off ceremony before heading to South Sudan
L2FH Rotation 3’s personnel, including members of the Logistics Unit, at a send-off ceremony before heading to South Sudan. Photo: People’s Army Newspaper

According to Major Ho Tien Hung, head of the unit, it is not easy to ensure logistical services for troops when abroad. All members of the unit have tried their best to provide delicious and nutritious meals for the hospital’s workers, ensure electricity and water, as well as safe driving, and more, People’s Army Newspaper reported.

Responsible for making sure that the generator system works well, Lieutenant Colonel Chu Duc Hiep takes advantage of his free time to support and create necessary utensils for other hospital members. His high responsibility and readiness to share experience in adapting to work and life in Bentiu are highly appreciated by his colleagues.

The Logistics Unit always tries its best to complete its missions
The Logistics Unit always tries its best to complete its missions. Photo: People’s Army Newspaper

Like Hiep, other members of the Logistics Unit used to work for the L2FH Rotation 1 or have worked in other positions at the UN Mission in South Sudan, including two chefs, Major Ho Tien Hung, and Major Dinh Minh Ky, and non-commissioned First Lieutenant Nguyen Van Tam who heads the group of drivers.

These logistics troops shared that it is their great honor to do peacekeeping missions, thus they volunteered to continue their work at the UN Mission in South Sudan. “Experiences gained through meaningful work in South Sudan always bring us special joy,” said Major Dinh Minh Ky.

Upgrading the hospital’s compound
Upgrading the hospital’s compound. Photo: People’s Army Newspaper

Though taking different missions, Vietnamese peacekeepers have promoted their unity and consider each other their family members. They have weathered difficulties in a poor country with harsh weather like South Sudan and exerted their efforts to complete the noble peacekeeping mission.

“My unit is my house and the place where I can make contributions,” said non-commissioned First Lieutenant Nguyen Van Tam. Therefore, seeing several facilities, such as the kitchen, bathing room, and working room for the L2FH Rotation 3' personnel downgraded, members of the Logistics Unit have spent time, including weekends, to upgrade them. At present, the living area for the hospital’s personnel is more spacious, cleaner and decorated with flowers and vegetables while the kitchen is arranged more logically.

11 members of the Logistics Unit
11 members of the Logistics Unit. Photo: People’s Army Newspaper
The hospital’s main gate with lotus flowers
The hospital’s main gate with lotus flowers. Photo: People’s Army Newspaper

In an arid and water-scarce place like Bentiu, the hospital itself is able to take fresh water from an RO water purification system. In addition, its new main gate has been upgraded and reopened while the camera system has been improved to ensure security for the hospital.

With the joint efforts of the Logistics Unit members and other hospital personnel, the L2FH Rotation 3’s stationed area has become a green oasis, contributing to improving the material and spiritual lives of Vietnamese blue-berets.

In fact, the more difficult work members of the Logistics Unit take, the higher determination they have to complete their assignments. These dynamic, optimistic, and industrious troops are deserving to be Uncle Ho’s soldiers. They have also earned the high praise of the hospital’s Directorate and colleagues./.

The staff of the level-2 field hospital No.3 at the farewell ceremony on March 24, 2021, in HCM City before leaving for Bentiu, South Sudan, to join the United Nations peacekeeping mission. — VNA
The staff of the level-2 field hospital No.3 at the farewell ceremony on March 24, 2021, in HCM City before leaving for Bentiu, South Sudan, to join the United Nations peacekeeping mission. Photo: VNA

Since June 2014, Vietnam has deployed three level-2 field hospitals to South Sudan. The first two fulfilled their tasks and already returned home while the third departed for the African country on March 23.

Talking about Vietnam’s dedication to UN peacekeeping operations, Major Colonel Adam R. Lulay, Bilateral Affairs Officer from the US Office of Defence Cooperation, said: “The experiences that Vietnam is seeing and getting in South Sudan, they can bring a lot of those lessons learned back here and incorporate into Vietnam, but also spread it to their peers and the future missions.”

The Vietnamese force’s performance in South Sudan is an exemplar of medical assistance, especially amid the current challenges of COVID-19, according to the officer.

Lulay said the peacekeepers from Vietnam have “done an incredible job leading the way in many ways”, especially the percentage of women higher than the level recommended by the UN.

Over the last six years, Vietnam has included 20 servicewomen in its level-2 field hospital staff, accounting for nearly 16 percent, and four others individually deployed to UN peacekeeping operations, higher than the recommended 15 percent, according to Viet Nam News.

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Rosy Huong