51 blue beret soldiers return home after their mission in South Sudan
(VOVWORLD) - 51 blue beret military medics from Vietnam’s Level 2 Field Hospital Rotation 5 returned home on Saturday after nearly 15 months of peacekeeping service in South Sudan. Despite numerous challenges, these Vietnamese peacekeepers successfully fulfilled their mission, leaving a positive impression on both international friends and the local people.
 The blue beret medical soldiers of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5 have returned to the welcome of their relatives and colleagues. (Photo: Ty Huynh/VOV) |
Level 2 Field Hospital Rotation 5 was deployed to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan in July 2023. During their tenure, the hospital staff examined and treated some 2,400 patients, including UN personnel and local residents. The hospital handled complex cases like anaphylactic shock, malignant malaria, and severe injuries from accidents. They performed a successful microsurgical reattachment of ulnar and radial nerves in the forearm, which was highly praised by the mission's Chief Medical Officer and Military Medical Department Head. In addition to their medical duties, the hospital staff actively collaborated with civilian and Level 1 hospitals, offering professional support. They were on standby for riots, mass casualties, fires, and other emergencies, and provided medical care during conferences and events at the base in Bentiu. Throughout their mission, the hospital protected its personnel and equipment, earning high praise from mission commanders and other units stationed in Bentiu.
 Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5 has successfully completed its mission, leaving a good impression on international friends and the people of the host country. Photo: Ty Huynh/VOV |
With their spirit of solidarity and responsibility, the doctors and nurses of Level 2 Field Hospital Rotation 5 overcame significant challenges, demonstrating that the hospital was not only a center for high-quality medical care but also a symbol of humanity, peace, and international cooperation. Colonel Mac Duc Trong, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, expressed his gratitude and pride in the hospital's successful completion of their mission, noting the positive image of Vietnam and its people they presented to international partners.
 Photo: Ty Huynh/VOV |
Reflecting on his experience in South Sudan, Major Doctor Do Quoc Cuong, an orthopedic specialist, said: "During my year in South Sudan, I treated the most patients. The country is still engaged in a civil war, the economy is poor, and the people live in deprivation. Returning to a peaceful Vietnam, I feel incredibly grateful."
Level 2 Field Hospital Rotation 5 comprises 63 military doctors and nurses. Twelve personnel remain in South Sudan to complete the handover process and will return home in a second group.