A total of more than VND126 billion (over US$5.35 million) had been raised via a texting campaign for Vietnam’s fight against the COVID-19 as at 11am on April 5, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications.

A texting campaign is launched last month to call for public support for
the country’s COVID-19 relief efforts. (Photo: VNA)

The campaign was launched on March 19 by the ministry, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Ministry of Health, and the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) to call for public support for the country’s COVID-19 relief efforts.

Donors can donate by texting “CV n” to 1407, of which “n” is the multiple of VND20,000 (US$0.85), which is also the cost of each message.

All funds collected will be used to purchase medical supplies and other necessities for healthcare workers, soldiers, and police officers who are in the front line of the battle against the virus. Funds will also be used to support the patients of the disease and those in quarantine.

The campaign will last until June 18.

Domestic telecom service providers have been working with the health ministry to set up wifi access free of charge for medical workers, soldiers, volunteers, and others in state-designated quarantine centers.

The VRCS Central Committee received more than 5,500 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical workers on April 6 from the Golden Time Group JSC.

Including protective clothing, goggles, gloves, and masks, the PPE sets will be sent to hospitals in Hanoi and HCM City treating infected patients.