State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended a ceremony in Da Nang on Saturday morning to bestow the title of ‘Hero of the People's Armed Forces’ during the anti-American resistance war on the Civil Medicine Division of Zone 5.

State President Nguyen Xuan Phu speaking at the ceremony. Photo: XUAN SON

In his remarks at the ceremony, President Phuc said that the history of founding and development of the Civil Medicine Division was associated with the difficult and arduous war against US imperialists.

He expressed his profound gratitude to the generations of doctors and staff of the Civil Medicine Division who overcame difficulties and fierceness of the war to be present in all battlefields to take care of and treat the wounded soldiers and people. Thousands of medical workers heroically sacrificed their lives for the national independence, freedom and reunification.

The State leader also underlined that, during its construction and growth process, the Civil Medicine Division has spread many typical and excellent examples in medical treatment and research, especially in research and production of vaccines for disease prevention and control, drugs and equipment in poor and difficult conditions.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (second, right) bestowed the ‘Hero of the People's Armed Forces’ title on the Zone 5’s Civil Medicine Division in recognition of its outstanding achievements during the anti-American resistance war

He, therefore, affirmed that the ‘Hero of the People's Armed Forces’ title was a testament to the recognition of the Party and State for particularly outstanding achievements made by generations of officers, doctors, and soldiers of the Civil Medicine Division during the anti-American resistance war.

President Phuc directed that the Ministry of Health to coordinate with relevant units to embellish and upgrade Zone 5’s Civil Medicine Division relic site into a traditional address to educate younger generations about the national glorious revolutionary traditions and ardent patriotism.

He requested localities to pay special attention to officers, doctors and soldiers of the division so as not to let anyone face difficulties in daily life.

He asked the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Health to continue to promote the replication of the ‘Combination of Military and Civil Medicine’ model, especially in remote mountainous areas, as well as to support medical examinations and treatment for people and strictly comply with Uncle Ho's teaching ‘Doctor like a gentle mother’.

Da Nang People’s Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh speaking at the ceremony.

In his speech delivered at the ceremony, Da Nang People’s Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh expressed his honour when Da Nang was chosen as the centre to establish the Traditional Association of the Zone 5’s Civil Medicine Division which gathered people who were former medical soldiers during the resistance wars in Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands region. That honour has fueled the fire for generations of doctors in the city to uphold the heroic tradition of the previous generation and work together to promote the development of the local healthcare sector.

He noted that the local Party and government will always create the best conditions for the health sector to develop, as well as will issue more appropriate policies for medical staff in order to help them firmly devote themselves to the cause of caring for locals’ health.

To mark the occasion, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc bestowed the ‘Hero of the People's Armed Forces’ title on the Zone 5’s Civil Medicine Division in recognition of its outstanding achievements during the anti-American resistance war.

Also, he presented souvenirs and VND 100 million in cash, contributed by himself and Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, to the Civil Medicine Division. Meanwhile, a representative of the Ministry of Health gave gifts and flowers to congratulate the Civil Medicine Division on this special occasion.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attaching the badge 'Hero of the People's Armed Forces' to the traditional flag in a ceremony held on Saturday in Da Nang.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (first right) presenting a souvenir to representatives of the Zone 5's Civil Medicine Division. Photo: L.P.

Representatives of the Zone 5's Civil Medicine Division handing over some artifacts to the Museum of Zone 5. Photo: L.P

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong (first right) presenting a gift and flowers to congratulate the Civil Medicine Division on their special occasion. Photo: L.P.

Reporting by L.PHUONG - Translating by M.DUNG