Quang Binh (VNA) – The Vietnam-CubaFriendship Dong Hoi Hospital in central Quang Binh province, one of the variousfacilities that Cuban leader Fidel Castro committed to help Vietnam during his historicaltrip to the liberated area in South Vietnam in September 1973, is regarded as a‘gem’ of the friendship between the two countries.

At the height of the anti-US resistance war, Fidel became the first foreignleader to set foot on one of the fiercest battlefields at that time: Quang Binhprovince and the newly-liberated area in Quang Tri.

He was very touched when witnessing the hardship and dramatic losses that theVietnamese people were suffering. So he decided to help Vietnam build a modernhospital in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh province, to serve local people and soldiersreturning from southern battle fields.

Eight months after Fidel’s historic trip, the construction of the Vietnam –Cuba Friendship Dong Hoi Hospital began with the participation of more than 100experts and workers, together with machines, equipment and food transported allthe way from Cuba.

After seven years of construction, thehospital was inaugurated on September 9, 1981. With 462 beds, 19 departmentsand very modern equipment for the time, the hospital has served as a spearheadin the provincial health care system ever since.

The hospital has to date evolved into ageneral hospital at the top class with over 900 beds, 39 departments, eight functionalrooms and over 700 staff including 190 physicians.

In 2016, a high-tech building was put intooperation, offering 180 beds and a system of advanced medical equipment. It hashelped solve the overcrowding, brought alternative options for treatment andreduced the financial burdens for patients. Many other constructions have alsobeen built or renovated to meet patients’ increasing demands.

[Grand meeting in Cuba marks Fidel’s historic trip to Vietnam]

Hospital Director Duong Thanh Binh saidthat throughout its development, the hospital staff has always nurtured theclose-knit bond with the Cuban people and the Cuban health care sector.

The hospital has established cooperationwith Cuba’s Generak Calisto Garia hospital and held regular exchange visits toCuba. 

To express the hospital’s deep gratitude tothe Cuban party, government and people, a statue of Fidel Castro was builtinside the hospital in mid-August this year.

In April, a group of four Cuban physiciansand experts came to work for the hospital.

Cardiologist Piter Martínez Benítez said:“I am happy to be invited to work here.

“We will try to share our knowledge andoffer support in terms of expertise and techniques to improve the health carepractice here. We want the people in Quang Binh and neighbouring provinces toenjoy better health care services.”

Director Binh said the development of thehospital is thanks to the great contributions of Cuba.

“In the coming years, the hospital willcontinue nurturing and further developing the bilateral relations, invitingCuban experts to transfer advanced technology to the hospital, and sending thehospital’s staff to Cuba for professional training,” he said.-VNA