In the morning of March 8th, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Military Medical University solemnly held a Ceremony to receive the Third-class Fatherland Defense Order and commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Vietnam Military Medical University (March 10th, 1949 – March 10th, 2024). General Phan Van Giang, member of the Politburo, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defence, attended and delivered guiding remarks.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Vo Minh Luong, Member of the Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Standing Central Military Commission, and Deputy Minister of National Defence; Colonel General Trinh Van Quyet, Deputy Head of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People’s Army; Lieutenant General Nguyen Doan Anh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army. Also present at the ceremony were Mr. Do Xuan Tuyen, Deputy Minister of Health; Lieutenant General Tran Duy Giang, Head of the General Department of Logistics; leaders and commanders of units under the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence.

Reception ceremony for General Phan Van Giang at the Vietnam Military Medical University.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Xuan Kien presents flowers to General Phan Van Giang at the Vietnam Military Medical University.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Xuan Kien presents flowers to General Phan Van Giang at the Vietnam Military Medical University.

General Phan Van Giang offers incense in commemoration of predecessors at the Tradition Room of the Vietnam Military Medical University.

General Phan Van Giang visits the Tradition Room of the Vietnam Military Medical University.

General Phan Van Giang at the ceremony.

The delegates attend the Reception Ceremony for the Third-class Fatherland Defense Order and commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Vietnam Military Medical University.

At the commemoration ceremony, Lieutenant General Nguyen Xuan Kien, Director of the Vietnam Military Medical University, delivered a speech recalling the glorious years of many generations of officers, lecturers, doctors, cadets, staff, soldiers, and laborers who contributed to the construction and defense of the Fatherland. The speech emphasized: Established during the fierce period of the resistance war against French colonialism, yet with intelligence and determination, the teachers and students, officers and soldiers of the University endured together, overcoming all challenges and difficulties. They simultaneously taught and learned while participating in combat, training a corps of doctors for the military, promptly meeting the requirements for treating wounded and sick soldiers throughout the resistance war against French colonialism.

During the process of building and defending the nation, the Vietnam Military Medical University has applied and developed new, modern techniques, enhancing the quality of diagnosis and treatment, with a focus on investing in the development of specialized fields. Particularly, the Vietnam Military Medical University has always been a pioneer, leading the successful implementation of the first organ transplants in Vietnam. With these outstanding achievements, the Vietnam Military Medical University has had the honor of being awarded numerous prestigious rewards and titles by the Party and the State.

General Phan Van Giang delivers a speech at the Reception Ceremony to receive the Third-Class Fatherland Defense Order and commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Vietnam Military Medical University’s Traditional Day.

On behalf of the President, General Phan Van Giang presents the Third-Class Fatherland Defense Order to the Vietnam Military Medical University.

At the commemorative ceremony, on behalf of the President, General Phan Van Giang presents the Third-Class Fatherland Defense Order to the Vietnam Military Medical University for its outstanding achievements in assisting Military Central Hospital 103, the Lao People’s Army successfully perform the first kidney transplant from a living donor in Laos, from December 2022 to November 2023, contributing to the building and development of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

In his speech at the ceremony, representing the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang praised and congratulated the outstanding achievements that the Vietnam Military Medical University has accomplished. He also expressed gratitude to the central agencies, local authorities, and the people of all regions for their coordination and support, which have facilitated the Vietnam Military Medical University, the entire military healthcare system, and military units in successfully fulfilling their assigned tasks.

To leverage the achievements already attained, to tirelessly strive and continually overcome challenges and limitations in diagnosing and treating various illnesses, General Phan Van Giang emphasizes the imperative for every officer, cadet, and staff member of the Vietnam Military Medical University to maintain a fervent dedication to their profession. He underscores the need for an inquisitive spirit, a commitment to exploration, and an openness to embracing new methodologies, mastering advanced, specialized, and modern scientific and technical knowledge. Furthermore, he stresses the importance of fostering continuity between generations, prioritizing scientific research and education, and nurturing the next generation of young medical professionals within the nation’s healthcare sector.

The Vietnam Military Medical University must develop a long-term strategy to become a regional and international center for training, research, application, and treatment. In the immediate future, the University must continue to innovate vigorously, enhancing the quality of training and scientific research integrated with medical examination, treatment, and healthcare; the University aims to become a multidisciplinary health sciences university, with a focus on military medical research and training, leading Vietnam in this field and standing on par with advanced universities in the region.

The delegates at the Reception Ceremony for the Third-class Fatherland Defense Order and commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Vietnam Military Medical University.

General Phan Van Giang emphasized that the Vietnam Military Medical University needs to focus on building a clean and strong Party organization, with exemplary leaders and a cadre of Party members who possess solid political integrity, high unity and cohesion, expertise, foreign language skills, and computer literacy. Special attention should be paid to nurturing political qualities and ethical standards throughout the training process. The motto of “teaching skills alongside teaching people” and the belief that “the quality of education provided by the institution reflects the readiness for combat of its units” should be firmly grasped. Furthermore, the University must continue to effectively implement military support policies and policies for those who have made contributions, ensuring comprehensive welfare benefits and continuously improving and enhancing the material and spiritual lives of officers, staff, cadets, soldiers, and laborers alike.

Celebrating the achievements attained over the past 75 years, General Phan Van Giang also noted that the journey of healing and caring for the health of officers, soldiers, and people is an ongoing one without a stop. The hardships and challenges of the medical profession are never-ending, requiring every doctor, medic, cadet, and staff member of the Vietnam Military Medical University to remain steadfast and exert even greater efforts in all aspects. Knowledge must be comprehensive, virtues must be complete, and conduct must be cautious, as advised by the eminent physician Le Huu Trac and the cherished words of Uncle Ho: “A doctor must also be a good mother” – all for the health of every citizen and the community – a fundamental factor in building a prosperous and resilient nation, deserving of the society’s expectations and trust.

Written by PHAM KIEN – VIET TRUNG. Translated by VU DAT