Vietnamese 'blue beret' doctors in South Sudan practice combat readiness

Officers and staff of Vietnam's Level 2 Field Hospital No. 7 on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan have stepped up combat training to protect their units and improve their mobility.

After more than a month of taking up its mission at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Vietnam's Level 2 Field Hospital No. 7 (BVDC 2.7) has stepped up combat training to protect the unit, improving its mobility and combat readiness in the face of complex security developments.

This activity takes place in the context of the United Nations mission gradually reducing its presence in the area, especially when reducing infantry and police forces. The political and military situation in the area is unstable, posing high risks to the military units stationed there.

Officers and soldiers of Field Hospital 2.7 train to be ready for combat. Photo: Field Hospital 2.7

In parallel with the professional medical tasks of emergency and treatment, officers and staff of Field Hospital 2.7 are thoroughly informed and practice alarm situations to switch to combat readiness to protect the military base. The training content is built closely following the local reality and is highly antagonistic.

In the situation of handling a riotous crowd, officers and employees practice dealing with a situation where many people gather at the unit gate to cause trouble, demanding food or necessities. This situation requires determination in protecting property but also strictly following the UN's rules of engagement and demonstrating a humanitarian spirit.

Officers and soldiers practice with alarm situations. Photo: Field Hospital 2.7

Photo: BVDC 2.7

In the anti-intrusion situation at night, officers and staff practiced plans to deal with subjects who took advantage of the darkness to cut through the fence and sneak into the barracks to steal property. This activity helped strengthen the ability to coordinate operations and respond quickly and promptly between the unit's security teams as well as with the mission's security forces.

The training not only maintains strict discipline and enhances mobility in combat readiness but also strengthens officers and staff's awareness of the security situation at the mission.

The officers and staff have a good grasp of security developments in the sub-region and the UNMISS mission (where Field Hospital 2.7 is stationed); and practice coordination with UN agencies and units in the sub-region. In addition, the officers and staff also have a firm grasp of and correctly apply the UN's rules on the use of force.

Strengthening defenses

Field Hospital 2.7 has proactively focused resources, reinforced and strengthened defense areas, especially thin and weak fence sections that are at risk of being exploited by intruders. This demonstrates a high spirit of initiative and self-reliance in ensuring security and safety for 63 officers, employees, patients and a large amount of medical equipment.

Hospital staff reinforce their barracks. Photo: Field Hospital 2.7

Station of Field Hospital 2.7. Photo: Field Hospital 2.7

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duy Quang, Deputy Military Director (with many years of experience commanding domestic units as well as being a UN peacekeeping officer) emphasized that, in the context of the UN reducing its presence, training to improve combat readiness and reinforce defenses is a regular combat order.

Field Hospital 2.7 always determines to master all situations, not to be passive and surprised, to maintain absolute safety, thereby affirming the mettle and capacity of the Vietnam People's Army.

Field Hospital 2.7 consists of 70 officers, who are elite soldiers selected from military units across the country, the core of which is the medical force and doctors of Military Hospital 175.

In September, Field Hospital 2.7 and Engineer Team 4 departed for a United Nations peacekeeping mission at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS mission) and the Abyei region (UNISFA mission).

Level 2 field hospitals are temporary hospitals that can be deployed quickly in areas with urgent medical needs. To date, Vietnam has deployed 7 level 2 field hospitals.

UNMISS was established in 2011 under Resolution 1996 of the United Nations Security Council with the mission of ensuring peace, building political stability and long-term economic development for South Sudan as well as supporting the government of this country to limit conflicts and protect civilians.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/bac-si-mu-noi-xanh-viet-nam-tai-nam-sudan-dien-tap-san-sang-chien-dau-2458391.html