The US Navy’s hospital ship USNS Mercy left the port of Nha Trang on Saturday after a two-week mission in Nha Trang, in the central coast province of Khánh Hòa as part of the Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18), ongoing since May 17.— VNA/VNS Photo

KHÁNH HÒA — The US Navy’s hospital ship USNS Mercy left the port of Nha Trang on Saturday after a two-week mission in Nha Trang, in the central coast province of Khánh Hòa as part of the Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18), ongoing since May 17.

It was the 13^th year of the Pacific Partnership and the second time the programme has come to Khánh Hòa, following the first in 2008.

The annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Pacific and Indian oceans this year consists of more than 800 personnel from the US and partner nations, including the UK, Canada, France, Australia, Sri Lanka, Chile and Peru. The programme aims to enhance national capacities and medical readiness for disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.

During the Việt Nam mission, the PP18 constructed, upgraded and repaired many classrooms, commune-based hospital rooms in Ninh Hòa Town as well as in Diên Lâm and Diên Khánh districts. Training and experience sharing in disaster prevention and response were provided for hundreds of local people in the provincial capital of Nha Trang, and in Cam Lâm District. Over 110 beach lifeguards working in beaches across Nha Trang were also offered training on drowning rescue and prevention.

In addition, the medical team of the ship USNS Mercy held training for nearly 1,100 local medical workers and worked alongside local hospitals to give medical checkups and treatment to hundreds people. Thanks to the programme, more than 190 people received free surgeries, including 78 knee and hip replacements.

Commissioned in 1986, the USNS Mercy is referred to as the “super hospital” of the US Navy. It is 272m long, 32m wide and equipped with 12 operation rooms, 100 beds and modern medical equipment to conduct complicated surgeries on board. The vessel provides medical care for US armed forces as well as comprehensive health services for the US’s global humanitarian and disaster relief missions. — VNS