Public Security Forces serve as shield against COVID-19 pandemic and sword to protect security, social safety

The event connected the Ho Chi Minh City-based MPS Headquarters with all the 63 provincial-level police departments via videoconferencing. It saw the presence of Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and was chaired by Minister of Public Security General To Lam.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Son delivered a report summarizing the special emulation movement over the past time, saying that the movement was launched by the MPS leadership on August 15 amidst the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country, echoing Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s call for concerted efforts against the pandemic and the movement "The whole nation unites and joins efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic” launched by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The movement has created a strong wave of ebullient emulation across the People's Public Forces. Following the movement, some 150,000 officers and soldiers voluntarily joined common efforts to fight against the pandemic. Additionally, nearly 2,000 medical staff from public security hospitals voluntarily came to epicenters to run field hospitals and treat COVID-19 patients.

During the battle against the pandemic, some 10,000 police officers and soldiers got infected with the virus, of which some 1,000 are still in critical conditions. Seventeen police officers laid down their lives and several were also injured while on duty.

At the same time, the Public Security Forces also took drastic measures to ensure social security and take care of people's health and lives. Public agencies and units mobilized officers and soldiers to donate VND 45 billion and called on benefactors to support VND 64 billion from for needy people to buy some 300,000 gifts for various kinds of victims of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For their achievements, 34 public security teams were awarded the first-, second-, and third-class “Feat of Arms” Orders while two units were presented with third-class Labor Orders at the event. Numerous officers with excellent achievements in the movement were also honored at the conference.

On this occasion, Minister To Lam presented VND 10 million to each family of public security officers and soldiers who had died in the COVID-19 fight.

Speaking at the conference, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue praised the achievements and thanked the Public Security Forces for their contributions and sacrifices during the pandemic.

The chief legislator asked the MPS in the coming time to continue effectively implementing the directions of the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly and the Government on COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

He noted that the Public Security Forces should pay due attention to ensure safety and security in the new normal state following the Government’s Resolution 128 while continuing upholding their leading role in the fight against the pandemic.

At the conference, Minister To Lam called on all public security officers and soldiers to heighten their sense of responsibility and the spirit of wholehearted devotion to the service of the Fatherland and the people, and spare no effort to reach all targets of the special emulation movement, thus contributing to embellishing the heroic tradition of the People's Public Security Forces.

* On the evening of the same day at Ho Chi Minh City-based Hoa Binh Theater, the MPS in coordination with the Vietnam Television organized a performance art program themed "Shield of Peace" in order to spread feats of arms and typical examples of the People's Public Security Forces in the fight against the COVID-19.