07 contents of international cooperation in the army medical field in Vietnam

07 contents of international cooperation in the army medical field in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

On June 13, 2023, the Minister of National Defense issued Circular 37/2023/TT-BQP regulating international cooperation in the army medical field.

1. Principles of international cooperation in the army medical field in Vietnam

International cooperation activities in the army medical field must ensure the following principles:

- Comply with the guidelines and lines of the Party, policies and laws of the State, and regulations of the Ministry of National Defense on international integration and defense diplomacy, in accordance with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member. 

- Comply with the order and procedures for conducting foreign affairs.

- International cooperation in the spirit of international friendship and solidarity, ensuring state secrets and military secrets.

(Article 3 of Circular 37/2023/TT-BQP)

2. 07 contents of international cooperation in the army medical field in Vietnam

According to Article 4 of Circular 37/2023/TT-BQP, the contents of international cooperation in the army medical field are as follows:

(1) Training, retraining, and professional training for military medical officers and staff.

(2) Researching, manufacturing, exploiting, and using medical equipment and products.

(3) Information sharing, research, transfer, and application of science and technology in the medical field.

(4) Improve the capacity of the military medical sector in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, prevention, and control of natural disasters and epidemics.

(5) Participate in UN peacekeeping operations.

(6) Medical examination and treatment between the Vietnamese military and other countries.

(7) Other cooperation contents in the army medical field as prescribed by law.

3. Order and procedures for international cooperation in the army medical field in Vietnam 

The order and procedures for international cooperation in the army medical field shall comply with the provisions of Article 6 of Circular 37/2023/TT-BQP as follows:

- The order and procedures for cooperation comply with Chapter II of Circular 152/2021/TT-BQP, which details a number of articles and guides the implementation of Decree 22/2016/ND-CP on foreign defense.

- In cases of medical emergencies requiring immediate dispatch or receipt of forces, means, and equipment related to foreign partners or other cases as prescribed by law, the presiding unit promptly collects opinions from relevant agencies and units and reports them to competent authorities for consideration and decision.

4. Responsibilities of the Military Medical Department, Department of Foreign Affairs, for international cooperation activities in the army medical field in Vietnam

4.1. Responsibilities of the Military Medical Department

According to Article 7 of Circular 37/2023/TT-BQP, the Military Medical Department has the following responsibilities for international cooperation activities in the army medical field:

- To lead and advise the competent authorities on how to manage the contents of international cooperation in the army medical field.

- To take the lead in advising and proposing competent authorities to develop legal documents, international treaties, and international agreements in the army medical field.

- To preside over or coordinate with relevant agencies and units to advise on the establishment of delegations to go abroad on business trips according to the content and form of cooperation specified in this Circular, report to the competent authority for consideration and decision.

- To assume the prime responsibility for, or coordinate with relevant agencies and units in, proposing contents for working with military and civil medicine doctors of other countries.

- To assume the prime responsibility for or coordinate with relevant agencies and units in proposing and reporting to competent authorities on inviting delegations of military and civil medicine from other countries to visit and work in Vietnam; organize events, seminars, conferences, trainings, and drills in Vietnam.

- To assume the prime responsibility for or coordinate with relevant agencies and units in formulating international cooperation projects and schemes on research, manufacture, and application of products in the army medical field.

- To carry out other international cooperation activities in the army medical field according to its competence.

4.2. Responsibilities of the Department of Foreign Affairs

For international cooperation activities in the army medical field, the Department of Foreign Affairs has the following responsibilities:

- To coordinate with the Military Medical Department to advise the Ministry of National Defense on guidelines, policies, strategies, and orientations to expand and strengthen international cooperation in the army medical field.

- To coordinate and promote international cooperation in the army medical field with other countries and international organizations.

- To coordinate and guide the formulation and implementation of international cooperation programs, plans, schemes, and projects in the army medical field.

- To direct and guide military medical agencies and units on foreign affairs and reception when performing international cooperation tasks in the army medical field.

(Article 8 of Circular 37/2023/TT-BQP)

More details can be found in Circular 37/2023/TT-BQP effective from August 1, 2023.

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