Vietnamese 'Blue Beret' Soldiers Support South Sudanese Prisoners

Vietnam Level 2 Field Hospital No. 3 cooperated with Ghana FPU Police to organize a volunteer trip at Bentiu Central Prison. Photo: Vietnam Level 2 Hospital

According to Vietnam Level 2 Field Hospital No. 3, Bentiu Central Prison is the largest prison in Unity state, currently managing over 120 inmates. Due to the lack of facilities such as food, medicine, and medical care, it is difficult for the Unity government to take care of South Sudanese prisoners.

This country still has many difficulties. The largest flood in 60 years of history is ongoing and caused great damage. The sick prisoners do not have enough medicine and lack food.

After carefully studying the situation as well as ensuring safety, the Vietnam Field Hospital chose this as the starting point for the charity program in 2022. This shows the friendliness and compassion of the Vietnamese people while spreading the traditional cultural values of the people and country of Vietnam to the local people.

Officers and staff of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 3 organize medical examinations and drug supply at Bentiu Central Prison. Photo: Vietnam Level 2 Hospital

In addition to visiting and donating food and essential supplies such as books, pens, rice, milk, the hospital's doctors and nurses also organize medical examination and treatment, counselling, donating medicines and medical equipment to prison staff and inmates.

The hospital's medical staff examine South Sudan prisoners. Photo: Vietnam Level 2 Hospital

Lieutenant Colonel Trinh My Hoa, director of Vietnam's Level 2 Field Hospital No.3, said: “We wish to accompany units in the UNMISS mission to contribute to improving living conditions for Bentiu Central Prison.”

Khalid Mohammed Mohammed Sanad Leila, UNMISS, the main coordinator of this activity, said: "It is wonderful that the inmates are all checked, and that medicine, food and necessities are donated."

Major General Yuanis Yarch, director of Bentiu Central Prison, said: "These prisoners have the right to receive medical care. I hope that the hospital will continue to visit them often, bringing the message, that they received attention from the government and international organizations. This is a very good spiritual medicine for them."

Lieutenant Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong said: "Instead of going on a spring trip with my family every year, this year our hospital has a special and meaningful spring trip. We have provided medicine and treatment for staff and prisoners. Here, many new refuges were created due to the devastating effects of the floods. I told myself to contribute more to help the people of South Sudan."

Employees of the hospital presented paintings imbued with Vietnamese culture. Photo: Vietnam Level 2 Hospital

During 10 months of operation in the Bentiu area, Vietnam Level 2 Field Hospital No. 3 has organized many charity activities, such as: donating medicine and medical equipment to Bentiu State Hospital; donating HIV/AIDS rapid test, screening, counselling and education on HIV/AIDS prevention.

In January 2022, the hospital supported the emergency surgery for Doctors Without Borders, in a 10-day campaign.

Below are pictures of the first volunteer trip to Vietnam Field Hospital in 2022 at Bentiu Central Prison, recorded by the hospital.

Photo: Vietnam Level 2 Hospital

Photo: Vietnam Level 2 Hospital

Photo: Vietnam Level 2 Hospital

Photo: Vietnam Level 2 Hospital

Photo: Vietnam Level 2 Hospital

Photo: Vietnam Level 2 Hospital

Photo: Vietnam Level 2 Hospital

Photo: Vietnam Level 2 Hospital

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