A three-day regional collaboration drill draws more than 200 members of emergency medical teams (EMTs) from 10 ASEAN countries and Japan to test medical response to disasters. (Photo: Bao Da Nang)Hanoi (VNA) – A three-dayregional collaboration drill beginning on March 26 at Hoa Xuan Stadium in thecentral city of Da Nang drew more than 200 members of emergency medical teams(EMTs) from 10 ASEAN countries and Japan to test medical response to disasters.
The drill challengedparticipants to respond to a ‘super typhoon’ with wind speeds of 200km per hoursweeping central provinces from Thua Thien-Hue to Quang Ngai, killing 500people and wounding 800 others. In the training scenario, dozens of livingquarters were isolated and nearly 10,000 victims were taken to hospitals.
ASEAN countries thenresponded to a call for help from Vietnam through the ASEAN Coordinating Centrefor Humanitarian Assistance and EMTs were sent todisaster-hit areas in Vietnam with air cargo containing logistics and medicalequipment.
The drill tested three regional and two provincial medicalcoordination centres in which EMTs received and provided first aid and medicalservices for victims who were then transferred to higher-level health providersif necessary. The EMTs also evaluated medical needs in storm-hit villages.
Vietnam and other ASEAN states have proactivelyjoined in the project on strengthening the ASEAN regional capacity on disasterhealth management since 2015.-VNA
VNA
