The Vietnamese Association based in the UK has launched a campaign calling on all businesses and individuals in the Vietnamese community to donate gloves and face masks in support of British frontline health workers as they battle against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

A medical worker transfers COVID-19 patients from an ambulance
to a hospital in London on April 1 (Photo: AFP)

The move comes amid the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) facing a severe shortage of personal protective medical equipment in the COVID-19 fight, such as gloves, face masks, and other protective pieces of gear. 

At present, the Vietnamese Association in the UK has successfully raised enough funds to purchase 1,100 protective suits and  2,500 face masks which are anticipated to arrive in the UK next week after being sent directly from Vietnam. 

The association also provided a total of 50 boxes of gloves and face masks for the NHS, with the haul of equipment being raised by Vietnamese expats living in the UK. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic having a severe effect on the health service in the UK, the Vietnamese Embassy has been regularly co-ordinating activities alongside the Vietnamese Association. This has largely been done as a means of staying updated regarding the epidemic situation, in addition to conducting consular legislation procedures and putting citizen protection measures in place. 

Simultaneously, the Vietnamese Association in the UK has also launched a customer service hotline aimed at helping Vietnamese people contact the NHS if necessary. 

The association has been active in working closely with individuals and community organisations in a drive to provide doctors and nurses at Lewisham Hospital and Kings Hospital in London with free meals every Tuesday and Saturday starting from April 18.

These actions have seen representatives from Lewisham Hospital extend their profound gratitude towards the Vietnamese community for their fantastic support and encouragement offered to British doctors and nurses during the ongoing pandemic.