Socialist Republic of Vietnam

The US Navy’s hospital ship USNS Mercy docked in Nha Trang port, the central province of Khanh Hoa on May 17, beginning its Pacific Partnership Programme 2018 (PP18) from May 17 – June 2. 

Apart from the US and Japan, PP18 includes the UK, Canada, France, Australia, Sri Lanka, Chile, Peru and several local, regional and international organisations. 

In the afternoon the same day, the US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City and Commander of the ship held a press conference to introduce PP18 activities. 

It is the 13th year that the PP18, the annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Pacific and Indian Ocean, is underway. It aims to strengthen national capacities and medical preparedness for disaster response. 

With the participation of the USNS Brunswick, over 500 officers, crewmembers and Vietnamese partners will work with Nha Trang hospitals to offer health check-ups and treatment to people, first-aid to victims on beaches, repair and upgrade of medical facilities in localities. 

Commissioned in 1986, the USNS Mercy is called “super hospital” of the US Navy. It is 272m long, 32m wide and equipped with modern medical equipment to conduct complicated surgeries on board. 

It is also the second time the programme has come to Nha Trang, following the first in 2008 with USNS Mercy taking part.-VNA