PM Nguyễn Xuân Phúc hands over the Hero of the People’s Armed Forces title for the second time to the 108 Military Central Hospital at a ceremony on Monday. — VNS Photo Thanh Hải

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc awarded the 108 Military Central Hospital its second Hero of the People’s Armed Forces title on Monday, on the occasion of the 74th founding anniversary of the Việt Nam People’s Army

Speaking at the ceremony, PM Phúc lauded the contribution of the hospital’s doctors, pharmacists and health workers over the years, especially during the resistance war against the French.

PM Phúc also highlighted the hospital’s advances in applying advanced technologies in diagnosis, emergency care and treatment and mastery of new techniques, including transplants.

The PM said the hospital’s successful lung transplant from a brain dead donor in February (the first operation of its kind in Viet Nam) marked a milestone in Vietnamese medical history.

Prime Minister Phúc asked the hospital to continue to improve the quality of care and treatment.

The hospital should promote research, master scientific and technological advances and train human resources with strong political will and good expertise, according to the PM.

In medical examination and treatment, PM Phúc asked the hospital to stay patient-centred and improve the quality of health checkups and treatment.

PM Phúc and delegates cut the ribbon to open the 108 Military Central Hospital’s central building as the country’s largest and most modern medical facility. — VNS Photo Thanh Hải

Division 8, the precursor of the 108 Central Military Hospital, established in 1951, serves the General Staff Command; providing medical services to wounded soldiers as assigned by the Military Medical Department and first aid and treatment to residents in the military zone.

During wars, despite lack of equipment and supplies of medicine, the Division 8 achieved excellent results, especially the treatment of wounded soldiers, contributing to the victory of the resistance war against French colonialists. In 1956, the division was renamed 108 Central Military Hospital. In 1985, the hospital was conferred the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces for its efforts during the American war.

On the occasion, PM Phúc and delegates cut the ribbon to open the hospital’s central building as the country’s largest and most modern medical facility.

Located inside the current hospital at No1 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội, the construction consists of three buildings (two 22-storey buildings with a height of 108m and a 10-storey building) with total floor area of 150,000sq.m and 2,000 beds, with capacity for 4,000 in emergencies.

The building is the country’s only medical facility with 50 positive-pressure operating rooms, including 45 standard operating rooms, three organ transplant operating rooms and two hybrid operating rooms. The facility is equipped with two gas and conveyor transport systems. In addition, the hospital also has an advanced automated testing system that can perform 3,600 tests per hour with an aim to reduce waiting time of patients and increase efficiency in medical examination and treatment.

To date, the 108 Military Central Hospital receives between 4,000 – 5,000 patients daily. In 2018, it has provided health checkups and examination for nearly a million patients. — VNS