(VNF) - Vietnam stands ready to cooperate with other ASEAN member states in medical response to natural calamities in the region, affirmed Deputy Minister of Health Pham Le Tuan at the second regional collaboration drill held in the central coastal city of Da Nang on March 26^th.

ASEAN state members and representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)at the opening of the drill. (Photo: VTV)

The event, which was jointly held by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Thailand’s National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM) and the municipal People’s Committee, is part of the project on strengthening the ASEAN regional capacity on disaster health management. Vietnam and other nine ASEAN states have proactively joined in the project since 2015, with the aim of enhancing the cooperation mechanism on health in disaster response across the region.

Tuan said that international drills will enable Vietnamese medical management agencies to improve their professional capacity in case of natural disasters.

Senior Representative of JICA Vietnam Office Nozomi Iwama said that the rehearsal aims to bolster cooperation between medical forces to have prompt response in case of emergency.

JICA will collect specific response and build a cooperation mechanism on health response in the ASEAN bloc, she noted.

Head of Da Nang Health Department Ngo Thi Kim Yen said that the coastal city is vulnerable to natural disasters. Therefore, cooperation in disaster recovery and health in disaster response is crucial.

Ten emergency medical teams involved in the second regional collaboration drill in Da Nang city. (Source: NDO)

The rehearsal aims to enhance the cooperation mechanism on health in disaster response across the region. (Source: NDO)

Ten emergency medical teams (EMTs) from ASEAN and Japan are being held from March 26^th-28^th, based on a hypothetical scenario in which a powerful hurricane has hit the central coastal region of Vietnam, causing heavy casualties to people and damage to property in Da Nang, Quang Nam province and the other neighbouring localities. Health facilities have been devastated and can’t meet the needs of victims, especially in isolated areas. Da Nang and Quang Nam report to the Government and the Ministry of Health for support.

Under the direction of the Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for humanitarian aid from the ASEAN members through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management. The EMTs joined hands with the medical staff in Da Nang city and Quang Nam province to set up mobile medical stations to save the victims./.

VNF