The US Navy’s USNS Mercy hospital ship brought more than 1,000 doctors and nurses to Quy Nhon Port in the central province of Binh Dinh on May 31.

The ship is accompanied with a Japanese ship named Kunisaki, which carries over 200 charity staff.

Vietnam is the first stop in USNS Mercy’s trip to Southeast Asia, as part of the US Navy’s “Pacific Partnership 2010” programme.

During a ten-day visit to Quy Nhon, the staffs of the two ships will provide free check-ups, operations, and other medical services to local people, in addition to visiting some area schools and hospitals, and taking part in other charity activities and cultural exchange programmes.

Members of the Mercy’s advance party went to Binh Dinh two weeks ago to prepare for the official visit, compiling a list of patients who will have operations performed aboard the ship.

Some doctors, members of non-government organizations (NGOs), and sailors on the Mercy are Vietnamese currently living overseas.

This is the second visit to Vietnam by the Mercy. In 2008, the ship landed at Nha Trang Port, in the central province of Khanh Hoa, and spent 11 days examining and treating over 10,000 patients in Khanh Hoa and neighbouring provinces.

Mercy has 12 operating rooms, 4 X-ray rooms, and 15 patient rooms totaling 120 beds. It is equipped with modern medical technology and equipment, and can store up to 5000 blood units in addition to oxygen and nitrogen production abilities. The vessel’s kitchen can serve up to 2500 people.

PV