Circular No. 37/2023/TT-BQP stipulates on international cooperation in the field of military medicine.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on international cooperation in military medicine

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

On the basis of The Law on National Defense dated June 8, 2018;

Pursuant to Decree No. 22/2016/NĐ-CP dated March 31, 2016 of the Government on foreign relations in national defense;

Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense;

At the proposal of the Director of the General Logistics Department;

The Minister of National Defense promulgates this Circular on international cooperation in military medicine.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates principles, contents, forms, procedures, formalities, and responsibilities of agencies and units regarding international cooperation in military medicine.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to agencies, units, organizations (hereinafter referred to collectively as agencies and units), and individuals related to international cooperation in military medicine.

Article 3. Principles of international cooperation activities in military medicine

1. Adhering to the Party's guidelines, state policies and laws, regulations of the Ministry of National Defense on international integration and foreign relations in national defense, consistent with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.

2. Implementing correctly the procedures and formalities for conducting foreign affairs work.

3. Engaging in international cooperation based on the spirit of friendship and international solidarity, ensuring state secrets and military secrets.

Chapter II

CONTENTS, FORMS, PROCEDURES AND FORMALITIES OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF MILITARY MEDICINE

Article 4. Contents of cooperation

1. Training, capacity building, and professional instruction for military medical personnel.

2. Research, development, production, exploitation, and utilization of medical equipment and products.

3. Sharing information, research, technology transfer, and application of science and technology in the field of health.

4. Enhancing the capacity of the military medical sector in humanitarian support and disaster relief, prevention, control of natural disasters, and epidemics.

5. Participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

6. Medical examinations and treatments between Vietnamese military medicine and other countries.

7. Other cooperation contents in the field of military medicine as prescribed by law.

Article 5. Forms of cooperation

1. Organizing military medical delegations to work abroad: Visiting and working with military and civilian medical services in other countries, sending experts and interns; short-term and long-term training.

2. Welcoming military and civilian medical delegations from other countries: Visiting and working with Vietnamese military medical services; inviting and receiving experts and interns; short-term and long-term training.

3. Organizing and participating in international conferences and seminars in Vietnam; attending international conferences and seminars abroad.

4. Participating in signing international cooperation documents in the field of military medicine.

5. Joint training, observation, and exercises.

6. Exchange and sisterhood with military medical units, military hospitals, and civilian medical services in other countries, and international organizations.

7. Exchanging cooperation contents with military and civilian medical services in other countries and international organizations through telephone, email, or other forms as prescribed by law.

8. Supporting and providing aid; receiving support and aid in healthcare.

9. Conducting medical examinations and treatments in humanitarian assistance with military and civilian medical services in other countries; inviting military and civilian medical services in other countries to participate in humanitarian medical examinations and treatments in Vietnam.

10. Organizing training, education, and dispatching Vietnamese military medical personnel to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

11. Organizing medical examinations and treatments in Vietnam for foreigners according to signed cooperation agreements.

12. Deploying combined military-civilian medical stations.

13. Cooperating, researching, developing, and applying products in the field of military medicine.

14. Technology transfer and clinical trials.

15. Other forms of cooperation in the field of military medicine as prescribed by law.

16. Other forms of cooperation in the military medical field as provided for by law.

Article 6. Procedures for cooperation

1. The procedures and formalities for cooperation shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Chapter II of Circular No. 152/2021/TT-BQP dated November 21, 2021, issued by the Minister of National Defense detailing certain provisions and guiding the implementation of Decree No. 22/2016/NĐ-CP dated March 31, 2016, of the Government on defense diplomacy.

2. In cases of urgent medical situations requiring immediate mobilization or acceptance of forces, means, and equipment related to foreign partners or other cases as prescribed by law, the competent agencies and units shall promptly seek opinions from relevant agencies and units and report to the competent authority for consideration and decision.

Chapter III
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AGENCIES AND UNITS REGARDING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN MILITARY MEDICINE

Article 7. Responsibilities of the Military Medicine Department

1. To take the lead in advising the competent authority to manage contents related to international cooperation in the field of military medicine.

2. To take the lead in advising and proposing to the competent authority to draft legal normative documents, international treaties, and international agreements in the field of military medicine.

3. To take the lead or coordinate with relevant agencies and units to advise on the establishment of delegations traveling abroad according to the cooperation content and form specified in this Circular, and report to the competent authority for consideration and decision.

4. To take the lead or coordinate with relevant agencies and units to propose work contents with military and civilian medical services of other countries.

5. To take the lead or coordinate with relevant agencies and units to propose and report to the competent authority about inviting delegations of military and civilian medical services of other countries to visit and work in Vietnam; organizing events, seminars, conferences, training sessions, and exercises in Vietnam.

6. To take the lead or coordinate with relevant agencies and units to develop projects and programs for international cooperation in research, production, and application of products in the field of military medicine.

7. To carry out other international cooperation activities in the field of military medicine within their authority.

Article 8. Responsibilities of the International Relations Department

1. To coordinate with the Military Medicine Department to advise the Ministry of National Defense on policies, strategies, orientations for expanding and strengthening international cooperation activities in the field of military medicine.

2. To coordinate to promote international cooperation relations in the field of military medicine with other countries and international organizations.

3. To coordinate and guide the development and implementation of international cooperation programs, plans, projects, and programs in the field of military medicine.

4. To direct and guide military medical agencies and units on diplomatic and protocol matters when performing international cooperation tasks in the field of military medicine.

Article 9. Responsibilities of the Military Security Protection Department

1. To review political standards for personnel, documents, and equipment of agencies and units going abroad to participate in international cooperation activities in the field of military medicine.

2. To review the files of foreign personnel coming to Vietnam to perform international cooperation tasks in the field of military medicine; to inspect security for equipment and review documents provided, given, donated, or transferred by the foreign side.

3. To take the lead in directing operations, guiding, and coordinating with relevant agencies and units to implement security and safety measures for organizations and foreign individuals entering Vietnam to perform international cooperation tasks in the field of military medicine.

Article 10. Responsibilities of agencies and units in military medicine

1. Advise and propose international cooperation needs and capabilities in the field of military medicine, develop implementation plans, report to the competent authority for consideration and decision.

2. Manage international cooperation activities in the field of military medicine within their jurisdiction; organize implementation and report on the results of international cooperation in the field of military medicine as prescribed.

3. Coordinate with relevant agencies and units in implementing international cooperation tasks in the field of military medicine.

4. Receive and process information about international cooperation contents in the field of military medicine within their jurisdiction.

5. Regularly report the results of international cooperation in the field of military medicine to the General Department of Military Medicine before November 25 each year; in case of necessity, report according to task requirements.

Chapter IV
IMPLEMENTATION

Article 11. Funding Assurance

The funds for implementing international cooperation tasks in the field of military medicine shall be guaranteed from the state budget allocated for regular defense expenditure, self-generated revenue of hospitals (for hospitals), self-balanced funds, and other lawful sources as prescribed by law.

Article 12. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from August 1, 2023.

Article 13. Responsibility for Implementation

1. Commanders of agencies, units, and related individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. The General Department of Military Medicine shall take the lead and coordinate with the Foreign Affairs Department to guide, monitor, urge, inspect, and report on the implementation of this Circular.