In a solemn atmosphere, Ambassador Marc Knapper observed a moment of silence and bowed his head in reverence at the Memorial for the Martyrs at Bach Mai Hospital.
During the historic 12 days and nights from December 18 to 29, 1972, Bach Mai Hospital was bombed four times. The most devastating attack occurred on December 22, 1972, when over 300 patients were being treated in the basement. The bombing destroyed numerous buildings and buried several shelters, including those where doctors, nurses, technicians, and attendants were caring for patients. Twenty-eight medical staff members lost their lives.
Over 50 years later, Bach Mai Hospital has become a symbol of Viet Nam-US cooperation, especially in the field of healthcare.
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| 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 the working session of Ambassador Marc Knapper with the leaders of Bach Mai Hospital, to discuss cooperation between the two sides in the medical field.
At the working session, Associate Professor, Dr. 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 becoming 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 training for doctors and medical staff. 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, serving patients better.
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 Viet Nam-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 that he would support human resource training for Bach Mai Hospital by introducing Bach Mai to a number of major US hospitals.
Source: Vietnamtimes
