HCM City’s Buddhist Sangha proposes using pagodas as COVID-19 treatment hospitals
The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) of Ho Chi Minh City said on July 22 that it had sent an official dispatch to authorized agencies, proposing the use of its religious establishments as temporary COVID-19 treatment hospitals and quarantine facilities for Buddhist monks and nuns.
The Vietnam National Pagoda in district 10 (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) of Ho Chi Minh Citysaid on July 22 that it had sent an official dispatch to authorized agencies, proposing the use of its religious establishments as temporary COVID-19 treatment hospitalsand quarantine facilities for Buddhist monks and nuns.
Amidst the complicated developments of theCOVID-19 pandemic in HCM City, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, DeputyPatriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Chairman of the Executive Councilof the HCM City Buddhist Sangha, sent the official dispatch to the city’s leadersand the Department of Health, asking for permission to use the Vietnam National Pagoda in district 10 and Pho Quang Pagoda in Tan Binh district as temporary COVID-19treatment hospitals for Buddhist monks and nuns.
If approved by the city’s leaders and the Department of Health and provided with medical equipment and workers, the HCM City Buddhist Sangha will cover all accommodation and transport expenses.
He emphasised that this move will contribute to reducing themedical burden that is currently putting great pressure on hospitals andmedical centres in HCM City.
The Most Venerable also suggested municipal authorities pay attention to giving vaccination against COVID-19 to Buddhist monks, nuns, and followers who areperforming social charitable activities in support of the city’s COVID-19 fight.Currently, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in HCM City is providing morethan 30,000 servings a day for medical workers and people in concentrated quarantine sitesand COVID-19 treatment hospitals.
If health authorities accept, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha inHCM City will quarantine Buddhist volunteers at its religious establishments when they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 or after they finish theircharity activities./.
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The Vietnam National Pagoda in district 10 (Photo: VNA) 
