Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed a decision to bestow Certificate of Merit on 18 individuals in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in recognition of their excellence and contributions to pandemic prevention and control in the city.

Vu Quoc Cuong, one of the 18 individuals who received the PM's Certificate of Merit, opened a restaurant providing free vegetarian meals for the poor and supporting the frontline forces in the fight against the pandemic (when Cuong was alive). Photo: VGP

These people have all participated in the pandemic prevention and control in HCMC, who were then infected with the Covid-19 virus and died due to the severe evolution of the disease.

The list includes Vu Quoc Cuong, Phan Van Quang, Nguyen Minh Hai, Trinh Huynh, Bui Van Lanh, Le Van Ut, Nguyen Phu Hieu, Nguyen Van Thuc, Nguyen Vu Huy Hoang, Nguyen Thi Cuc, Vo Van Hue, Phan Hong Phong, Nguyen Thi My Le, Duong Dinh Hai, Le Van Hiep, Ngo Thi Thu Tam, Dinh Chinh Dinh, and Nguyen Anh Phap.

Besides, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 5 signed a decision to posthumously confer the third-class Labor Medals to doctor Trinh Huu Nhan and nurse Tran Thi Phuong Hang for their outstanding contributions to the fight against the pandemic in HCMC. They were infected with coronavirus while on duty and died of the disease.

Dr. Trinh Huu Nhan (middle) on the way to Covid-19 patients' home. Photo: Thanh Son

Doctor Trinh Huu Nhan, working in HCMC’s Nha Be District from September 1981, has 40 years of experience in the health sector. Doctor Trinh Huu Nhan was found to have Covid-19 from mid-July and died on August 4 after two weeks of intensive resuscitation treatment.

Nurse Tran Thi Phuong Hang had worked at the intensive care unit of HCMC-based Gia Dinh People's Hospital since January 2003. Nurse Tran Thi Phuong Hang had to stay away from her family relatives and her two young children to work in the hospital. The female nurse was confirmed to have Covid-19 on July 31, 2021 and she succumbed to the disease on August 13.