Volunteer border medics go to the epidemic center

Upon receiving the order, they only had time to pack up their military equipment, call their relatives and family, and quickly leave for their new mission.

Colonel Le Nhu Cuong - Political Commissar of Nghe An Border Guard encouraged and assigned tasks to military medics participating in the Mobile Team for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of the Border Guard Command. Photo: Hung Phong

For nearly a year now, Major, Doctor Tran Thanh Vinh - medical staff of the Training - Mobile Battalion,Nghe An Border Guardwere mobilized to strengthen the implementation of tasks at the border management, protection and Covid-19 prevention and control post of My Ly Border Guard Station. The post is located close to the Vietnam - Laos border, with complex terrain and harsh climate conditions.

Like many other comrades, due to the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, Major Tran Thanh Vinh has not had the opportunity to visit his family for nearly half a year. However, when he received information from the Nghe An Border Guard Command about sending medical officers to join the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Mobile Team of the Border Guard Command, he volunteered to participate in the task.

Talking about his decision, Major Tran Thanh Vinh shared: "The fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is going on very fiercely. As a military doctor, I want to contribute my efforts with my colleagues to protect the health and safety of the people and peace for the country. I just thought that simply, so I volunteered to participate in the new mission."

The Chief of the Provincial Border Guard Command saw off the military medics who were leaving to join the Mobile Team for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of the Border Guard Command. Photo: Hung Phong

Due to the urgent need, Major Tran Thanh Vinh only had time to call home to inform his family, encouraging his wife and children to "come back when the epidemic is over". Talking to us over the phone, Ms. Uong Thuy Duyen (wife of Major Tran Thanh Vinh) confided: "After so many years of being the wife of a border soldier, I'm used to it. When the Fatherland needs them, it's natural that they go to the front line. I just hope that he and his teammates try to maintain their health and fulfill their duties as white-shirt soldiers well". It is known that previously, Dr. Tran Thanh Vinh had served as a border guard for 5 years.

Managing a long and wide border, over the past nearly 2 years, Nghe An Border Guard has established a shortened forward command post in Ky Son district to direct, inspect, and closely supervise epidemic prevention and control work. The unit is also maintaining 34 fixed posts, 18 mobile control teams, 23 interception teams, 46 working groups, border control stations... with more than 800 officers and soldiers from the Border Guard, Police, Military, Customs, Health, Militia... participating in the task. Nghe An Border Guard also mobilized 50 officers to participate in the task at quarantine areas at the request of local authorities.

Captain Nguyen Van Binh - Military Doctor of Thong Thu Border Guard Station, Nghe An Border Guard shows his determination to successfully complete the task of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic in key areas. Photo: Hung Phong

In the process of performing the task of epidemic prevention and control, the medical team at the Nghe An Border Guard units always promotes their roles and responsibilities well. Medical staff regularly and proactively monitor epidemic prevention and control, especially the work of preventing and controlling the Covid-19 epidemic at the unit and the area in charge. Participate in receiving, classifying, screening and transporting citizens entering from Laos, as well as from epidemic areas to local quarantine areas in a timely manner, ensuring safety. Along with that, coordinate with the Nghe An Provincial Department of Health and medical facilities to vaccinate officers and soldiers of the unit against Covid-19. Currently, the Nghe An Border Guard has established a Covid-19 testing sample collection team, organized training on sample collection techniques for military medical staff of the agency and grassroots units...

The Women's Union and the Youth Union of the Provincial Border Guard supported food, provisions, and drinking water for military medics on their way to perform duties in key areas. Photo: Hung Phong

Colonel Ho Huu Thang - Deputy Commander of Nghe An Border Guard, Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of Nghe An Border Guard said: "The unit's medical force plays a very important role in taking care of soldiers' health and preventing and controlling the Covid-19 epidemic. When the unit commander disseminated the instructions of superiors on selecting 18 medical officers and staff to supplement the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Mobile Team of the Border Guard Command, many comrades volunteered to participate. However, we based our decision on qualifications, capacity, health, and work experience. All 18 medical officers and staff of Nghe An Border Guard selected have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and received basic training on epidemic prevention and control methods."

On his way to take up his new assignment, Major Tran Van Lam - medical officer of Na Loi Border Post, Nghe An Border Guard, representing 18 comrades participating in the Mobile Team for Covid-19 Prevention and Control of the Border Guard Command, affirmed to his commanders and comrades: "We all have the spirit of "fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy", will always unite, strive to promote the sense of responsibility and noble qualities of a medical soldier to successfully carry out the assigned tasks"./.