Communist Review - Significant contributions of the Vietnam People's Army in epidemic prevention and control over the past time have been recognized and appreciated by leaders of the Party, State, localities, and people. The Army has been actively involved in epidemic combat; they have overcome enormous difficulties, forgotten themselves to serve people, worked day and night to battle against coronavirus disease, contributing to successfully achieving the “dual goal” of epidemic prevention and control, socio-economic development, and securing national security.

Over the past time, the complicated development of natural disasters and epidemics has caused enormous damage to the country's economy and people's lives, especially the outbreak of the fourth wave of COVID-19 epidemic with the new variant Delta. The coronavirus, which was spreading widely and rapidly throughout the country, especially Ho Chi Minh City and some southern provinces, has ravaged people's health and lives and affected political security, social order, safety, and economic growth. Faced with that situation, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense have strictly grasped the direction of the General Secretary, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the Government, the Prime Minister, and the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 prevention and control, have promptly proposed and implemented appropriate measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic according to the call to action on “fighting epidemics like fighting against the enemy”; They consider this mission as the number one priority in peacetime. Therefore, in any situation, the Army is ready to take the lead in epidemic prevention and control, protecting the people's health, life and peace; at the same time, several measures have been taken to protect and uphold the rights of frontline workers as well as their families.

In the face of a complicated outbreak of the epidemic, the Ministry of National Defense has issued several documents and official dispatches leading the battle against the epidemic in the whole army, developed and implemented response plans at the central and local level; forecasted the development of complex situations and taken effective measures to prevent crisis far sooner. In order to actively prevent and control the epidemic, functional agencies of the Ministry of National Defense have closely monitored the situation with Covid-19, advised and proposed to the Party, Government, Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defense the following measures: control, prevent and minimize sources of infection, especially from abroad; well prepare isolation areas, develop emergency response plans to handle spreading epidemic; assess the situation in border regions, coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to forecast the number of Vietnamese people returning from Covid-10 affected countries and territories; reinforce public communication about pandemic by initiating drastic action, keeping public calm, well orienting public opinion, controlling cyberspace; conduct scientific researches and participate in the production and supply of medical equipment, prepare facilities and human resources; closely coordinate with agencies, Party committees, authorities and people nationwide to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Well implementing the principle of “early detection, timely isolation, complete control of epidemics, effective treatment”, military agencies and units have coordinated with local steering committees for epidemic prevention and control to firmly grasp the situation, set up quarantine centers, closely monitor, increase checks and contact tracing, handle unexpected situations, thus contributing to reduce the burden and offer localities support in epidemic prevention and control. Many entities have given up their barracks to establish quarantine centers and field hospitals, ensured good facilities with the “Four on-the-spot motto”, provided accommodation and meals for hundreds of thousands of people in quarantine; They actively directed border, navy, and coast guard forces, closely coordinated with military regions and relevant forces. More than 1,900 checkpoints across land, maritime, coastal borders have been set up to strictly control quarantine centers and hospitals to reduce the risk of spreading disease from infected people to the community. Thousands of officials and soldiers have stayed for months in the border areas in extreme weather conditions, lived a hard life to perform their duties; They have regularly contacted with local people to guide them to comply with epidemic prevention and control measures; They have coordinated with Party committees and local authorities to prevent and control the epidemic and stabilize their lives.

When the epidemic broke out in some localities, the Ministry of National Defense has mobilized forces, vehicles, equipment, chemicals, biological products,… to promptly support localities in epidemic prevention and control. It has worked closely with the local health departments to disinfect, isolate, trace, test, treat, localize and stamp out the outbreak of epidemic with high efficiency. When Ho Chi Minh City and some southern provinces recorded infections on a huge scale, with the spirit: “The Army will come to help people and do not wait till people ask for help”, the Ministry of National Defense has mobilized tens of thousands of medical staff, doctors, nurses, technicians, military medical units and students of Military Medical University, Vietnam - Russia Tropical Centre, Military Institute of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Aviation Medicine and military hospitals such as hospital 108, 354, 105, 110, 7 and so forth. They have also transported hundreds of tons of modern medical equipment, supplies, medicines, chemicals substances, etc for the South. A COVID-19 treatment center and 11 field hospitals have been established with about 6,000 beds, hundreds of teams involved in testing, vaccinating, and controlling disease in the community, hence contributing to reducing pressure on the local health system, improving the effectiveness of epidemic control.

In addition to increasing human resources, medical equipment, and supplies, the Ministry of National Defense has directed military factories to produce thousands of medical oxygen cylinders to treat COVID-19 patients; promptly set up vaccine storage warehouses in military regions and the Hanoi Capital Command; mobilized thousands of vehicles to distribute vaccines to localities, contributing to speeding up the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces and municipalities; Besides, it has led research institutions to conduct clinical trials for Nanocovax vaccine produced domestically. The preliminary results are positive. The real-time fluorescent RT-PCR kit for detecting SARS-CoV-2 which is highly sensitive, specific, stable, ensures quality and meets international standards has been successfully manufactured. Foreign affairs, international cooperation, experience exchange, vaccine diplomacy have been strengthened. Equipment, materials, and chemicals have been produced to respond effectively to the coronavirus disease, such as hand sanitizer, disinfectant sprays, mouthwash; disinfection unmanned aerial vehicle, disinfection robot, garbage incinerator, disinfection chamber, protective clothing, decontamination spray vehicle ARS-14 vehicle, disinfection equipment and so forth.

It has closely coordinated with Party committees, local authorities, and forces to set up nearly 5,000 crews to prevent and control the epidemic with the involvement of thousands of officials, soldiers, militia, and self-defense forces in epidemic-hit areas. It has worked hand in hand with patrol supervisors to maintain political security, social order, and safety at checkpoints, isolation, and quarantine areas and to educate, control the respect of social distancing rules of inhabitants. In addition, efforts have been made to help workers and students return to their hometown or quarantine areas under legal regulations. It has supported the community in harvesting, transporting, and consuming agricultural and aquatic products, providing food, organizing “Zero - VND Food booth”, “Zero - VND Rice ATM”, “Mask ATM”, “Gratitude market”... directly providing food and necessities products and medicines to each resident so that no one gets hungry, thirsty or sick without care; a voluntary blood donation movement has been launched in the whole army to join hands to fight the COVID-19 epidemic. The army was not only assigned the responsibility of taking care of Covid-19 patients, but it was also responsible for receiving, storing, burning incense, and transferring the ashes of deceased COVID-19 victims to their relatives quickly and solemnly. A special emulation movement has been launched by the Central Military Commission of the Ministry of National Defense under the theme “The Army and the whole country unite to prevent and win the pandemic fight”. Military soldiers and officials have worked day and night despite difficulties and dangers to protect people's health and lives. This is not only the duty and responsibility of soldiers but also comes from their hearts.

Thoroughly grasping and implementing the Party's resolutions, the State's policies and laws on military policy and the rear, the Ministry of National Defense has actively and proactively performed the army's tasks in the fight against the pandemic, closely coordinated with relevant ministries, departments, branches and agencies to study, advise and propose to the Government to promulgate resolutions regulating regimes and policies for the force participating in the prevention and combat COVID-19 epidemic in a timely and effective manner⁽¹⁾, such as regulations on subsistence expenses; medical care costs during isolation and quarantine and some special regimes in epidemic context, etc. Under Governmental resolutions, the Ministry of National Defense has directed functional agencies to issue documents guiding the implementation of regulations and policies which apply to military forces during the fight against COVID-19 epidemic to harmonize their implementation throughout the entire army. Accordingly, military forces at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak response are entitled to anti-epidemic allowances, food allowance, subsidiaries for living expenses, and compensation in case of an accident when combatting epidemic...; Depending on the nature of each task, there are different levels of allowances.

Besides, the Ministry of National Defense has proposed to the Ministry of Labor-War Invalids and Social Affairs to have appropriate policies for those who are sick, injured, or deceased for saving lives and public and private property in pandemic combat; as well as for wounded soldiers and martyrs under regulations on preferential policy towards people with meritorious services to the revolution. At the same time, it has directed functional agencies and proposed the Ministry of National Defense to implement other regimes and policies, such as a reward for outstanding performance, pay raise or posthumous award, rank-up...; provide material and spiritual support and create jobs for the spouses, natural children and lawfully adopted children of those who have sacrificed their lives while performing their missions. It promptly directed the Party Committees and entities to closely coordinate with the Party committees, authorities, and local mass organizations where the army settles down to visit and encourage individuals and officials, soldiers directly participating in the battle against pandemic; Moreover, it has supported military families in difficult life situations. This is obviously a sound and timely policy adopted by the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, strictly following the guideline of the Party and State on military policy and rear to recognize military sacrifices and contributions, motivate soldiers working at the frontline of COVID-19 combat so that they could accomplish their assigned tasks.

To protect people's health and life, promote the role of armed forces and take appropriate measures to motivate military forces participating in the frontline of COVID-19 prevention and control, leaders and commanders at all levels and branches in the whole army should give due consideration to the following solutions:

Firstly, effectively implement the Party's guidelines and the State's policies on COVID-19 prevention and control.

It is essential to promote propaganda, education and raise awareness of officers and soldiers about anti-epidemic activities so that they understand the dangerous and negative impact of disease on the health and life of the people, the socio-economic development of the country in general, and the military missions in particular, and so that they are neither negligent nor overstressed. Consider the epidemic combat as one of the key political tasks and the pandemic combat as a combat mission of the Military in peacetime. In any situation, the army is always a pioneer that the Party, State, and people can rely on. Educate soldiers to promote the glorious tradition and good qualities of “Uncle Ho's Soldiers”, to establish a close-knit relationship with the population, to give them a helping hand, to overcome difficulties and risks of infection to fulfill the anti-epidemic mission, and protect the people's health and lives. At the same time, it is crucial to promote propaganda, raise awareness and responsibility of all walks of life so that they comply with regulations on disease prevention and control. Due attention should be given to communication so that all classes of people, especially officials and soldiers, clearly see the pre-eminence of regime and policies for COVID-19 positive patients and forces directly participating in epidemic prevention and control in order to promote the power of the whole nation during the fight against coronavirus disease.

Secondly, strengthen leadership, well prepare human and material resources to respond to disease outbreak

Military agencies and entities need to well prepare human and material resources, facilities, drugs, chemicals, and medical supplies. Review to set up new isolation centers to deal with overloaded housing, thus increasing the risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community. Take strict border control to prevent illegal immigration. Ensure protective equipment, military equipment, living conditions, and health care for armed forces on duty at checkpoints. Work closely with departments, ministries, branches, and localities to develop scenarios to respond to potential outbreaks; accomplish the dual goal of combatting epidemic and well-performing military and national defense missions.

Thirdly, bring into play the strength of the whole political system, mobilize resources, closely coordinate with agencies, branches, forces, and localities, and strengthen international cooperation in disease prevention and control.

Currently, epidemic prevention and control becomes the number one priority, requiring close and effective coordination between the healthcare system, polices, authorities, and people in order to promote the overall strength of the country, protect people's health and lives, maintain political security, social order and safety nationwide. Play to the fullest extent the role of functional agencies and core forces to combat and defeat all plots of hostile forces who, under the pretense of the pandemic, want to destroy the Party, State, and army. Avoid negligence or irresponsibility that could lead to serious consequences. Strengthen international cooperation, vaccine diplomacy, continue to conduct researches to understand better about the disease, propose therapeutic options for COVID-19 treatment; accelerate research process to produce vaccines and drugs, contributing to improving the quality of health care, protecting people's health and lives, especially those of frontliners.

Fourthly, grasp the current situation, well implement regimes and policies for forces participating in epidemic prevention and control.

The functional agencies of the Ministry of National Defense should proactively coordinate with relevant departments, ministries, and branches to finalize legal documents and operational mechanisms in response to natural disasters and epidemics. A particular priority should be given to frontline epidemic prevention workers. These policies must show the Party and State's interest, be suitable with specific missions of the forces participating in epidemic prevention and control; It is necessary to ensure fairness and harmony with other relevant actors in order to motivate people engaged in the fight against the pandemic. Follow the guidance and concretize policies so that the beneficiaries can feel secure in performing their assigned tasks. Strengthen control and inspection, remove shortcomings and punish violations in the implementation process.

Fifthly, focus on implementing effective policies to motive armed forces and the rear who are involved in anti-pandemic activities, especially those in difficulty.

Take care of the material and spiritual life of officials and soldiers at the frontline of epidemic combat, as well as soldiers in the rear, so that they can feel assured and devote all their energies to the fight against the disease. Ensure smooth coordination between ideological education and policy formulation and implementation to take care of the army's rear; promote the strength of all forces, closely coordinate military units with Party Committees and local authorities where military families live to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Promptly solve arising problems, ensure the peace of mind for people who are assigned missions and their relatives so that they could complete their tasks epidemic prevention and control.

Sixthly, strengthen the disease prevention and control in the army; well perform the drawing of experience, praising and rewarding typical organizations and individuals.

Strictly follow anti-epidemic rules to prevent the spread of the disease into military units. Strengthen propaganda to increase the vigilance of soldiers during the combat against pandemic; especially “5K” message launched by the Ministry of Health. Improve the health of soldiers so that they can study, work and be willing to fight. Ensure that armed forces are safely vaccinated against COVID-19, well prepare human resources, medical supplies, and equipment to respond to a crisis. Effectively implement social policies and a special emulation movement: “The Army joins hands with the whole nation to fight and win COVID-19 pandemic” launched by the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense; conduct preliminary and final reviews, draw experiences and reward officials and soldiers directly involved in anti-epidemic activities. Recognition and reward must be announced in a timely manner at different levels and fields; due consideration should be given to ad hoc rewards for organizations and individuals that have made outstanding achievements, thus facilitating positive spillover effects and inspiring officials and soldiers to fulfill their tasks, raise vigilance and combat readiness.

The significant contributions of the Vietnam People's Army in epidemic prevention and control over the past time have been recognized and appreciated by the leaders of the Party, State, localities, and people. The army has been actively involved in epidemic combat; they have overcome enormous difficulties, forgotten themselves to serve people, effectively implemented social policies for COVID-19 frontline heroes. They have also upheld their sense of responsibility and determination to fulfill their assigned task in protecting the people's health and lives, contributing to successfully achieving the "dual goal" of epidemic prevention and control, socio-economic development, and securing national security, promoting the glorious tradition and good qualities of “Uncle Ho's Soldiers” of the heroic Vietnamese People's Army in the new era.

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(1) Resolution No. 37/NQ-CP dated March 29, 2020, of the Government on “some specific regimes in the prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic”; Resolution No. 16/NQ-CP dated February 8, 2021, of the Government on “expenses for medical isolation, and treatment and some specific regimes in the prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic”; Resolution No. 17/NQ-CP dated February 9, 2021, of the Government on “meal allowance and benefits for workers in the anti-epidemic fight during 05 days of the New Year 2021”.

This article was published in the Communist Review No. 974 (November 2021)