US Ambassador to Vietnam commemorates Bach Mai Hospital doctors who died in 1972

On November 6 in Hanoi , US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper burned incense in memory of doctors and nurses at Bach Mai Hospital who died during the US bombing in 1972.

In a solemn atmosphere, Ambassador Marc Knapper observed a minute of silence, bowing before the Monument to the Heroes and Martyrs at Bach Mai Hospital.

During the 12 historic days and nights (from December 18 to December 29, 1972), Bach Mai Hospital was bombed 4 times. Of these, the bombing on December 22, 1972 was the most catastrophic, with more than 300 patients being treated in the basement. The bombing destroyed many office buildings and hospital rooms, filling up some basements where many doctors, nurses, technicians, and caregivers were caring for patients. 28 doctors and nurses heroically sacrificed their lives.

More than 50 years have passed, and today Bach Mai Hospital has become one of the proofs of Vietnam - US cooperation, especially in the medical field.

Ambassador Marc Knapper commemorates the doctors and nurses of Bach Mai Hospital who died in 1972. (Photo: Bach Mai Hospital)

The incense offering ceremony took place during Ambassador Marc Knapper's working session with leaders of Bach Mai Hospital, to discuss cooperation between the two sides in the medical field.

At the meeting, Associate Professor, Doctor (PGS.TS) Dao Xuan Co, Director of Bach Mai Hospital, thanked the US for its support to the health sector in general and Bach Mai Hospital in particular. He said that in addition to being one of the first two hospitals to receive a new generation gene sequencing machine from the US Department of Defense , Bach Mai Hospital continues to receive support from the US CDC with essential equipment, on-site technical support and medical training. This support not only helps improve the capacity of Bach Mai Hospital but also supports lower levels through line guidance and technology transfer.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Xuan Co expressed his hope that the US side will continue to support training, scientific research, and technology transfer to help the hospital continue to improve its professional qualifications and services, and better serve patients.

Ambassador Marc Knapper assessed the cooperation between US agencies and Bach Mai Hospital as a model in the health sector, demonstrating the positive impact of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Through the collaboration of the US CDC and other agencies, the US supports a variety of health services at Bach Mai Hospital, including helping Bach Mai Hospital in particular and the Vietnamese health sector in general to strengthen its capacity in gene sequencing and infectious disease surveillance.

The Ambassador said he will support human resource training for Bach Mai Hospital by introducing Bach Mai to several major US hospitals.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/dai-su-my-tai-viet-nam-tuong-niem-y-bac-si-benh-vien-bach-mai-hy-sinh-nam-1972-206971.html