Vietnam’s Military Hospital 175 has launched the country’s first International Trauma Training Center (ITLS), eliminating the need for foreign experts. The center, located in Ho Chi Minh City, is the southernmost general hospital of the army and the first in the city to operate an emergency helicopter. This new addition to Vietnam’s military medical capabilities will benefit not only its own forces but also those participating in peacekeeping operations across the region.
The ITLS center is a significant milestone for Vietnam, as it marks the country’s 125th center in the world and its 5th in Southeast Asia. It is also the first of its kind in a military medical unit in the region. The center boasts 18 instructors with extensive experience in emergency resuscitation and proficiency in foreign languages. These instructors completed 15 months of training by foreign experts, with two receiving specialized instructor degrees in trauma emergency response in high-risk environments.
Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, highlighted the importance of this new facility. He emphasized that it will enhance professional training capacity for Vietnam’s military medical staff and provide training opportunities for regional forces participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations. The establishment of this center is a result of cooperation between Vietnam and the US, with significant humanitarian value.
Military Hospital 175 has been involved in deploying level 2 field hospitals for United Nations peacekeeping missions in Africa, and this new ITLS center will undoubtedly continue to be used for such purposes. Additionally, Vietnam’s second ITLS center is expected to be situated at Military Hospital 103 in Hanoi, further expanding the country’s capabilities and ensuring that its medical forces are equipped with cutting-edge knowledge and skills to handle any situation they may encounter on future missions.
