When the army and people stand shoulder to shoulder

Crystallization of military-civilian strength under the leadership of the Party and State

In the resistance wars against invaders, our Army has always been united and closely connected with the People, fighting for the People, and the People are the spiritual and material support; the source of strength for our Army to grow, fight and defeat all enemies. In this war against the "enemy" Covid-19, once again the tradition and strength of the spirit of solidarity between the army and the people have been affirmed and promoted. Vietnam's successes inprevention of Covid-19 pandemicis the crystallization of the strength of military-civilian solidarity under the leadership of the Party and the direction and administration of the Government.

Having gone through 3 waves of fighting against the "enemy" Covid-19, from the experiences learned from the 3 previous "fights", when the 4th wave broke out, we entered the fight with a more proactive, positive and determined spirit.

The Border Guard Station of Cua Lo - Ben Thuy Port coordinated with functional forces to propagate Covid-19 prevention and control to fishermen. Photo: PV

During the past few days, military units stationed across the country, especially in the provinces and cities of Bac Ninh, Bac Giang and Ho Chi Minh City, have been fighting with the same fervor as during wartime. Troops and convoys of vehicles have been "following each other to the front line", orders have been sent from the Ministry of National Defense Command, and news has been reported from the "front". Military officers and soldiers have always stood shoulder to shoulder with local Party committees, authorities and people in the "fight" against the Covid-19 pandemic in the hottest places.

According to the assessment of the National Steering Committee, compared to the previous 3 times, the development of this epidemic is much more complicated and unpredictable. Therefore, the mobilization of local forces and equipment has also increased, especially military units. According to information from the Standing Office of the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of the Ministry of National Defense, by the end of May 2021, along with proactively and actively implementing measures to prevent and control the spread of the epidemic in the army, the entire army hasmobilize, strengtheng more than 1,000 officers and soldiers, including mobile testing forces and 43 additional sampling teams for Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces. So far, this force has tested more than 254,000 samples. In particular, the Ministry of National Defense has directed the deployment of 3 infectious disease field hospitals in the two provinces of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang. By the end of May 30, the field hospitals had received 641 Covid-19 patients for treatment. Along with that, the Chemical Corps and Military Medical units coordinated to organize large-scale disinfection spraying of outbreak areas with a total area of ​​over 80 hectares.

In Military Region 7, units have deployed 55 quarantine points with 12,511 beds and are currently organizing quarantine for 6,315 citizens. At the same time, Military Region 7 has established 9 teams and 56 mobile epidemic prevention and control teams, 8 reinforced specialized teams, 51 Covid-19 tracing teams from battalion level and above. Implementing the direction of the Ministry of National Defense, Field Hospital No. 5 with a scale of 500 beds is ready to be deployed at Army Corps 4.

Chemical soldiers spray disinfectant throughout Hoang Mai High School. Photo: Thanh Cuong

On the border, overcoming difficulties caused by harsh weather conditions and lack of facilities, food and accommodation, the Border Guard force is maintaining 1,906 checkpoints with nearly 13,000 officers and soldiers from the border guard forces, main force troops, local troops, and militia and self-defense forces participating; at sea, the units mobilize 27 ships and hundreds of officers and soldiers to regularly patrol, promptly detecting 1,814 cases of illegal entry.

Officers and soldiers of the units, especially the "white-shirt soldiers" from military hospitals and military medical students, are truly warriors who are always on the front lines, at the hottest spots of the fight against the epidemic. Regardless of day or night, forgetting to eat or sleep, the "white-shirt soldiers" go into battle to undertake all tasks from taking samples, testing, treating patients, to setting up, managing and serving in quarantine areas; ensuring sanitation, disinfection and sterilization at epidemic hotspots...

Dark circles under the eyes due to lack of sleep; faces with deep marks of masks and protective equipment; bodies in anti-epidemic suits drenched in sweat due to the 39-40 degree heat; staggering steps, fainting from exhaustion... sent to the front line of the epidemic fight have brought tears to many people. The spirit of self-sacrifice, dedication, devotion, willingness to accept risks, and self-sacrifice for the task of containing and preventing the Covid-19 epidemic, protecting the lives and health of the people, of officers and soldiers of military units, especially the "white-shirt soldiers" makes everyone moved, admired and respected.

Nghe An medical staff deployed to support Ha Tinh province in fighting the Covid-19 epidemic. Photo: Thanh Cuong

The army carries out a noble international mission and the whole people "share the fire" to fight the epidemic.

Not only for the people in the country, although still facing many difficulties, but in the context of countries in the region, especially Laos and Cambodia, also being greatly affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense has donated many medical equipment and sent a team of experts to work closely with the army and people of friendly countries to prevent and fight the Covid-19 epidemic. In addition, the Vietnam People's Army has also prepared 3 epidemic prevention and control teams from 3 military hospitals ready to help Laos and Cambodia when ordered.

"Sharing the fire" with military officers and soldiers and anti-epidemic forces, although still facing many difficulties, Party committees, authorities, organizations, unions, businesses, philanthropists and local people have both encouraged the spirit and mobilized all possible resources to join forces with officers and soldiers on the "front line". The spirit of "not leaving the car behind, not regretting the house" during the resistance war has revived in the "war" against the Covid-19 epidemic in peacetime. Without having to do anything grand or lofty, the most practical way to show the spirit of "sharing the fire" with the army and functional forces is that all people always voluntarily and strictly comply with the measures to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic according to the instructions of specialized agencies. Not only providing support and helping people in difficult circumstances in epidemic areas, many groups, organizations and individuals have sent gifts, fruits, drinks, food... to soldiers on the front line against the epidemic. Receiving such sentiments, the anti-epidemic forces in general and the officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army in particular all feel warm-hearted, have more faith, more motivation and determination to defeat the pandemic.

Border Guard forces carry out patrols to prevent and control the epidemic on the border. Photo: Thanh Cuong

It is forecasted that in the coming time, the Covid-19 epidemic situation will continue to develop in a complicated and unpredictable manner with the risk of re-emergence in many places and may last for a long time. There are still many difficulties and obstacles, but with the strength of the spirit of military-civilian solidarity, especially the spirit of not being afraid of difficulties and hardships, of dedication, of willingness to accept sacrifices to protect the lives and health of the people of the Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control forces, including officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army, we believe that the "enemy" Covid-19 will be pushed back. Victory will belong to the Party, State, Army and people of Vietnam.