Vietnam and the United States continued their cooperative operations providing free joint health treatments in Da Nang.

Selecting prescribed medicine for patients.

The USS John McCain has been docked in Vietnam in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of normalized relations between the United States and Vietnam. The two countries have been working together closely on many projects during the visit.

On August 11 and 12, a team of 15 doctors from the USS John S. McCain ship, led by Doctor Brad Smith, were divided into two groups: one to diagnose and treat patients with normal illnesses, while the other specialized in oral, dental and visual treatments.

The doctors and crew of the USS John S. McCain worked in coordination with Son Tra District’s Health Clinic to diagnose, treat and prescribe medicine for about 1,000 patients. The total medicine cost of VND 300 million (USD 15,500) for this program was funded entirely by the U.S. Navy.

Besides these humanitarian acts, the U.S. Navy also gave away school bags, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and toys to patients and children in the area.

“The experience and expertise brought by the team of doctors and crew of the USS John S. McCain have helped us improve both our professional knowledge and English knowledge,” said Doctor Nguyen Van Cuc, Vice Manager of Son Tra District’s Health Clinic.

Major - Doctor Vincent Do, a Vietnamese-American, shared, “I’ve chosen to be a doctor with hopes that one day I will get to diagnose and treat poor patients. Upon my return to Vietnam, I am very happy that I have been able to help many people and my trip has been made very meaningful because of that.”

The guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain arrived in Da Nang on August 10 and will remain until August 14.

Below are pictures captured by a DTiNews reporter during the free diagnosis and medicine prescription program conducted on August 11.

People applying for free diagnosis and treatment.

Waiting to be called.

Two U.S Naval Army doctors treating a child patient.

Prescribing free medicine for patients.

An American doctor clarifying details of a prescription with a pharmacist of Son Tra District’s Health Clinic.