NORTH VIETNAMESE ARMY/VIET CONG MILITARY MEDICAL CAPABILITIES

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005647975
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: May 27, 2011
• Case Number: F-2010-01312
• Publication Date: October 1, 1968

(b)(3)
DIRECTORATE OF
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Scientific and Technical
Intelligence Report
North Vietnamese Army/Viet Cong Military Medical
Capabilities
APPROVED FOR
RELEASEL DATE:
16-May-2011
3eeret-
OSI-STIR/68-23
October 1968
Copy NO 7
 SEG4U
Scientific and Technical Intelligence Report
NORTH VIETNAMESE ARMY/VIET CONG MILITARY
MEDICAL CAPABILITIES
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
DIRECTORATE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE
 PREFACE
A military medical capability is significant in Vietnam with the
prolonged and intense hostilities in areas where innumerable serious
diseases and health problems abound. Problems are compounded for
the North Vietnamese Army/Viet Cong (NVA/VC) by the constant
threat of medical supply shortages, primitive supply and evacuation
procedures, and substandard sanitary conditions and practices. This
analysis discusses the NVA/VC military medical organization and pro-
gram and assesses its capability to perform its mission.
This report has been produced by CIA. It was prepared by the
Office of Scientific Intelligence and coordinated with the Directorate
of Intelligence. The cutoff for information is August 1968.
 CONTENTS
Page
PREFACE ................................................... iii
PROBLEM .................................................. 1
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ............................ 1
DISCUSSION ................................................ 2
Development and organization of NVA/VC medical forces ...... 2
Training .................. 2
Quality of medical personnel ................................ 5
Battlefield recovery .......................................... 5
Evacuation and treatment of casualties ......................... 6
Medical classification for evacuation ........................ 8
Method of evacuation .................................... 8
Wounds, diseases, and preventive measures .................... 9
Medical facilities .......................................... 9
Medical supplies ........................................... 10
VC civic action program ..................................... 11
TABLES
Page
1. Organization and personnel of a typical VC medical company ... 3
2. Organization of a typical VC regimental medical service ...... 4
3. Locations of wounds .................... :......:............ 9
4. Example of medical supplies issued to a Viet Cong soldier in-
filtrating from NVN to SVN .............................. 10'
FIGURES
Page
1. VC perform abdominal surgery .............................. 6
2. Instruments used by the VC in their operating rooms .......... 7
3. South Vietnamese civilian being examined .................... 11
LMS-6-01FE
(WP.536/13)
 NORTH VIETNAMESE ARMY/VIET CONG
MILITARY MEDICAL CAPABILITIES
PROBLEM
To assess the capability of the NVA/VC medical organization to
perform its mission in South Vietnam.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
NVA/Viet Cong units in South Vietnam place
considerable emphasis on evacuation of their per-
sonnel wounded in combat. This program has been
relatively successful, and in spite of delay in defini-
tive treatment, medical care that they afford is ac-
ceptable by indigenous standards in Southeast Asia.
Effective medical care for combat personnel prob-
ably will continue under the present level of activ-
ities if there is no major epidemic, if sanctuaries are
permitted in neighboring countries, and if there is
no major interruption of supply routes through Laos
and Cambodia.
There is a planned and organized effort on the
part of the NVA/VC to provide for evacuation and
treatment of battlefield casualties. A hierarchy of
battalion, regimental, and divisional level aid sta-
tions and hospitals has been established to evacuate
and treat sick and wounded troops. The organiza-
tion of each medical unit is dependent upon the mili-
tary unit to which it is assigned; duties vary from
giving support to small VC guerrilla-types to NVA
divisions operating predominantly in the north near
the DMZ.
The military medical system is similar in principle
to the US system where care is first provided by an
aid man at platoon level, then at a battalion aid sta-
tion where some surgical capability is provided, at
regimental level where patients may be kept a
maximum of 15 days, and finally at regional or pro-
vincial hospitals. Initial treatment and evacuation
of wounded is a major problem. In forward areas,
evacuation is usually accomplished by laborers
traveling on foot, and there is often considerable
delay before a patient receives definitive care. For
example, in an extreme case, 42 percent of the
wounded were not treated for over 26 hours after
one major engagement.
The VC have a well organized, coordinated medi-
cal supply system, receiving supplies from Com-
munist and Free World countries and from within
South Vietnam itself. This system has been main-
tained on a priority basis, often at the expense of the
population in North Vietnam. There is, however,
increasing evidence of shortages of medical supplies
and equipment. In addition, in recent months the
Viet Cong medical civic action program has been
affected by the accelerated warfare and has suffered
because of the priority given to combat personnel.
The high incidence of endemic diseases in areas
under VC control continues to tax their medical care
system. Despite an active preventive medicine pro-
 gram, diseases cause more casualties among the Viet
Cong when compared with battle wounds except
during sustained battles. This is especially true in
.South Vietnam where VC medical facilities are
more limited than in North Vietnam and where the
fluid tactical situation makes prophylaxis against
DISCUSSION
DEVELOPMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF
NVA/VC MEDICAL FORCES
Before 1960, the medical service of the Viet Cong
consisted of noncoordinated independent organiza-
tions throughout South Vietnam, and personnel were
largely holdovers from the Viet Minh medical serv-
ice. There was no central control or policy as far as
organizational, or logistical services were concerned.
In 1962, the medical service was consolidated on an
area basis, and a central medical section was estab-
lished with a chain of command linking the villages.
In 1963, a number of senior medical personnel in-
filtrated into South Vietnam and reinforced the
existing medical structure. In 1964, separate sec-
tions for military and civilian medical care were
created. Examples of typical VC military (regi-
mental and company) organization are shown in
tables 1 and 2. North Vietnamese Army medical
units are typically military Table of Organization
and Equipment (TO&E) units.
The new organization necessitated central logis-
tical and administrative support in the Rear Serv-
ices Area. Medical supply depots were established
in South Vietnam,- and at this time, the VC began to
receive increasing medical support from Communist
Bloc countries, largely in the form of medical
supplies.
The VC Medical Service now has both staff and
operational functions. Among its staff functions are
the collection of health data and the technical super-
vision of subordinate medical echelons. Monthly
and daily reports are submitted by lower level medi-
cal sections giving morbidity and mortality statistics
as well as organizational. status reports. The staff
also has the power to authorize the creation of new
medical units and supervises the assignment of
personnel and equipment to existing medical sec-
tions.1-3
communicable diseases and maintenance of sani-
tary procedures difficult to control. Viet Cong
medical facilities would be seriously strained if com-
bat activities on regimental or divisional scale were
carried on, since battle wounds generally result in
a more prolonged convalescence.
TRAINING
The requirement for a larger military medical
capability has been met by selective emphasis in
training and organization. Instruction is designed
to prepare VC medical personnel to care for com-
bat..casualties and, when possibfe and feasible, to
carry on a "civic" action program.
On-the-job training is given usually at the unit
level under the guidance of the unit medical per-
sonnel. At regimental level, the assistant chief of
the medical battalion is usually responsible for the
training. Courses vary in .length and are governed
by the tactical situation and emphasize the practical
aspects of medical care. This type of training has
the advantage of low cost and does not require ex-
tensive training facilities.
Formal training is regularly organized at the
region or province level and may last for up to two
years. This training by necessity is normally con-
ducted at special training sites in rear areas and is
quite similar to that given to US Army Special
Forces medics. Both military and civilian medical
personnel are assigned as full-time instructors.
These training sites are in areas secure from enemy
attack, and courses are relatively free from inter-
ference from enemy activity.
The majority of NVA medical personnel have
been trained in North Vietnam, where there are
three, six-year medical schools in operation; a fourth
school is planned. In addition, at the Institute of
Traditional Medicine in Hanoi, teaching is carried
out in the use of herbs and acupuncture.* These
schools graduate 600 physicians each year plus
a large number of medical auxiliaries. Some of the
VC medical personnel are trained also in the North.
* The insertion of needles into body tissue for the pro-
duction of counterirritation as a means of therapy.
 VC medical technicians have received training at
several hospitals, including the 10th Hospital in Bac
Ninh Province, 103rd Military Hospital in Ha Dong,
and an eight-month training course in Thanh Hoa
Province, North Vietnam. Some doctors have been
sent to the USSR for postgraduate training. Re-
cruits and local villagers receive instruction in per-
sonal hygiene and in the fundamentals of first aid.
Training is given also in basic preventive medicine,
including sanitation and the prevention of malaria.
First-aid men occupy the lowest level in the medi-
cal service organization. They are chosen from
the military ranks and given one to three months
of training in first aid. Following training, they
are assigned to military units at the squad level.
Medics are more extensively trained, receiving
basic instruction in patient care and treatment as
well as in the administration of first aid. They are
selected from the more capable first-aid men and
are assigned to combat units or to local dispensaries.
Nurses are similarly trained but are rarely found
in regular combat units. Nurses may initiate care,
prescribe medication, and command small facilities
such as district dispensaries. Many nurses are men
with prior experience as first-aid men.
Medical technicians occupy the next higher posi-
tion in the medical hierarchy. Their course of study
varies from one to two years and emphasizes the
medical specialties. They are employed widely at
all echelons of the medical service and serve in such
specialties as preventive medicine, general surgery,
internal medicine, ophthalmology, and otorhino-
laryngology (ENT).
Doctors, medical practitioners, and medical offi-
cers make up the remainder of the VC Medical
Service. Doctors are those who have had formal
medical school training. Some medical personnel
can, however, achieve the rank of "doctor" on the
basis of special training, longevity, and experience.
Doctors are senior to the other ranks in the medical
system and command the larger medical facilities
as well as serving as medical staff officers. Medical
practitioners may have had formal medical train-
ing outside the military but usually are promoted
from among the better qualified personnel in the
lower ranks. Medical officers also are. promoted
from the lower ranks or are trained in special courses
lasting from seven months to one year. Both practi-
tioners and medical officers serve in positions similar
to those occupied by doctors but are subordinate
to the latter when present in the same unit or or-
ganization.
The VC also train personnel in other medical and
paramedical specialties such as: dentistry, phar-
macy, laboratory work, and'-preventive medicine.4-7
QUALITY OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL
The quality of the medical personnel varies usu-
ally depending upon the length of training. Those
physicians actually trained in North Vietnam follow
the prescribed six-year course, which is similar to
the curriculum in advanced Western nations. Those
trained in South Vietnam in the accelerated courses
but who are classified as "doctors" would be less
capable. There have been numerous reports of
poor unprofessional treatment, but very competent
treatment has been reported also.
Descriptions of debridement indicate that many
Viet Cong physicians have a fairly good knowledge
of ballistic injuries. Descriptions of several tech-
niques of intestinal anastomosis* performed in South
Vietnam have been reported. (Figure 1 shows the
VC performing surgery. Note the hand-held flash-
light to illuminate the incision. Figure 2 illustrates
an array of surgical instruments, adequate for rou-
tine surgical procedures.) Some orthopedic cases
are handled with internal fixation devices, which is
an indication of proficiency in this area, but there
have been a great number of infections as a result
because of the lack of proper sterilization facilities.
Recent reports indicate wider use of splints rather
than plaster in the treatment of fractures. This is
probably more a reflection of supply shortage rather
than technique.?-s .
BATTLEFIELD RECOVERY
The Viet Cong make great effort to recover their
dead and wounded. The primary purpose of this
is the eventual restoration of some wounded per-
sonnel for combat. In addition, the wounded and
dead constitute an important source of intelligence
to the enemy. When the Viet Cong is hit, his two
adjacent comrades quit the fight and assist him to
the rear; in other cases, especially trained civilian
* A union of one vessel or hollow organ with another to
form intercommunication.
 Figure 1. VC Perform Abdominal Surgery
laborers have been used. There are reports that
some Viet Cong have been sent into battle with one
leg wrapped in a length of vine. This presumably
is to permit the solider to be dragged hastily from
the field should he fall. On some occasions, a hook
similar to that used by stevedores has been used-on
dead and seriously wounded soldiers; this is inserted
under the chin and serves as another dragging de-
vice during the heat of battle, or in a hasty retreat.
There have been instances of "mercy killings" not
only on the battlefield but also at battalion level
where there was little hope of recovery. This has
received little publicity among the Viet Cong troops.
Regimental burial grounds usually are located ap-
proximately 1,000 meters from the dispensary area.
Dead are buried in wooden coffins if wood is avail-
able but most are wrapped in canvas. According
to their regulations, each man killed in action is
to be wrapped in five to eight meters of cloth. The
graves are dug from 1.2 to 1.4 meters deep and 1.8
meters long.
EVACUATION AND TREATMENT OF
CASUALTIES
Treatment of wounded on the battlefield is ini-
tially the responsibility of the platoon aid man. This
aid man is trained and instructed to bandage the
wounded as soon as posible and, if antibiotics are
warranted, usually an injection of penicillin is given.
The more seriously wounded also are given injec-
tions of vitamins C, B, and K (vitamin C is thought
to promote resistance to infections and participate
in blood coagulation by maintaining oxidation-re-
duction conditions appropriate for many enzymatic
activities, vitamin K is essential for blood coagula-
tion, and B complex vitamins have use in varying
conditions from neuritis to some forms of anemia).
 Figure 2. Instruments Used by the VC in Their Operating Rooms
The aid man who administers the first treatment
does not ordinarily accompany the wounded to the
next echelon, the battalion medical station. He re-
mains with his platoon within the area designated
to his company. The wounded that are not ambula-
tory are carried back by members of their platoon
assigned by the platoon leader. These litter bear-
ers must return immediately to their unit after
delivery of their patients. The wounded who can
walk unaided go unescorted to this medical sta-
tion. Behind the lines, evacuation is , conducted
ordinarily by civilian laborers recruited or pressed
into service and organized into a unit for non-
combative duties.
The battalion medical station is usually located
in' a small area 400 to 2,500 meters to the rear and,
possible, adjacent to a stream. This station is
usually staffed by one medic and two or three aid
en and is equipped only to give immediate care`
and treatment. After treatment, all wounded, both
serious and light cases, are evacuated to a regimental
dispensary that is located .from one to four kilo-
meters behind the battalion near headquarters. The
battalion has a platoon-size evacuation unit of about
30 men who carry the seriously wounded.
The regimental dispensary is a mobile unit which
follows the regiment into an operational area. This
unit can give first aid for relatively light wounds,
treat shock, perform routine and orthopedic sur-
gery, and provide postoperative care. Patients can
be kept a maximum of 15 days and then returned
to duty or evacuated further.
Further evacuation of wounded to regional, pro-
vincial, and divisional hospitals is also accomplished
by civilian or military units specifically designated
at the regimental level. Regional and provincial
hosiptals generally serve areas rather than specific
military units. Divisional hospitals usually serve
 NVA units, predominantly in the northern areas.
They also serve when feasible noncombatants under
NVA or VC control. Rest stations are located along
established evacuation routes where patients can
remain up to three days.
Dispensary-type care is given at the regional level.
The care varies and depends upon the capabilities
of the staff and the equipment available at each
dispensary. If further evacuation is necessary, casu-
alties may betaken to a provincial or a regional
hospital. Regional and provincial hospitals are set
up similarly and vary in size, according to. the areas
serviced. These hospitals are used for casualties
that need a longer convalescent period than the
lower echelons can provide. ' It is at this level that
blood transfusions are first available.15-20
There are no clear standards regarding the nature
of wounds that make a person definitely eligible
for medical evacuation. In case of severe injury
or incapacitation to the extent that the individual
is unable to be utilized in support or administrative
work, he might be evacuated to the north or re-
turned to his village if he is originally from South
Vietnam. The approval for evacuation is granted
at regional headquarters. Cases of blindness, deaf-
ness, mental illness, tuberculosis, and lung injuries
are also sometimes eligible for medical evacuation.
After removal from the battelefield, wounded are
classified into three main types, which correspond
to seriously wounded, moderately wounded, and
lightly wounded. The classification is under three
types:
Type 1. Where a person has lost 50 percent of
his labor potential. The future working potential of
these persons is very restricted. Examples are per-
sons who have lost both arms, both legs, or are
blind. Injuries to the spinal column are included
also under this classification.
Type 2. Where a person has lost 30 percent of
his labor potential. These persons will recover and
retain some of their working potential. Injuries in
this category include one arm missing, one leg miss-
ing, or blind in one eye.
Type 3. Where a person has only light wounds
After treatment, the soldier is usually able to re-
turn to his unit.18 21
Method of evacuation
The usual method of evacuation is by walking,
if possible; otherwise, the wounded, are carried on
stretchers. Medium-echelon cadres (civilian mem-
bers of a district committee or higher or members
holding a position in battalion headquarters or
higher who are in a certain medical category) re-
portedly are carried even if they are capable of
walking. The low-level cadres in the same medical
category would be required to walk. The evacua-
tion routes are the same or in close proximity to the
infiltration and supply routes in order to utilize
common facilities.
Although mortorized transportation is limited,
there are scattered reports of trucks being used.
This type of transportation is reserved for high-
ranking officials. In one case, two monthly convoys
of eight or nine trucks reportedly picked up the
sick and wounded in Kontum Province on a non-
regular schedule and transported them through
Laotian territory to the north. In another case,
the sick and wounded, if within distance of an 8 to
10 day walk, went to Cambodia from Kontum and
Pleiku Provinces. From there the higher ranking
individuals were evacuated by trucks to North Viet-
nam. However, if the wounded were farther than
an 8 to 10 day walk from the Cambodian border,
they would travel through South Vietnam to Laos
and from there to North Vietnam. Also, infrequent
reports indicate that aircraft have been used for
evacuation. This mode of transportation probably
is reserved for the highest ranking officials. One
such instance may have been the reported evacua-
tion of General Nguyen Chi Thanh, who allegedly
was first transported to Cambodia and from there
flown to a hospital in Kandi.
. The trip north is a severe hardship. The wounded
often fall ill, food and medical attention is gen-
erally lacking, and there is always the danger of air-
strikes or enemy encounter.
After arriving in North Vietnam, and if the indi-
vidual recovers from his wounds or illness and is
not handicapped, he may be returned to active
military service. If handicapped, he is given work
commensurate with his abilities and, if unable to
work, he is sent to a soldiers' home or retired from
the military and given a pension.16 18 19 22
 WOUNDS, DISEASES, AND PREVENTIVE
MEASURES
Some VC data on wounds are available and can
be considered fairly reliable, since most of the
data are derived from captured documents. Based
on a MACV study, the overall ratio of killed in
action to wounded in action was given as 1.0:1.5,
a very high ratio, reflecting the rigors of evacua-
tion by foot and the variable quality of medical care.
A figure of three percent has been given for death
during hospitalization. This is extremely low, even
by more advanced country standards, and is prob-
ably due to the fact that up to 42 percent die en
route to hospitals.
The average hospitalization time for wounded is
24 days. Of these survivors, over 60 percent return
to duty in some capacity. Types of wounds are
given as 26 percent from ball ammunition, 55 per-
cent from shell and grenade fragments, 8 percent
from burns, and the remaining 11 percent for varied
reasons. Severity of wounds is 15.1 percent serious,
26.5 percent moderate, and 58.4 percent slight.
(Table 3 shows locations of wounds.)
Table 3
Locations of Wounds
Head and neck ............................ 16.0
Ribs and chest ........................... 15.0
Abdomen ................................ 4.5
Back .................................... 4.0
Upper extremities ........................ 42.0
Lower extremities ........................ 18.0
Genital region ............................ 0.5
Diseases seldom seen in the United States abound
and are serious problems in Vietnam and, therefore,
directly affect VC activities, causing more actual
casualties over a period of time than do battle
wounds. Malaria is the most prevalent disease
among the VC. While malaria exists throughout
the year, there are definite seasonal peaks in the
incidence of the disease. The peaks generally are
associated with the rainy season, a fact usually at-
tributed to the effects of moisture on the breeding
places of mosquitoes. Since the rainy and dry sea-
sons occur at different times of the year in separate
areas of South Vietnam, the peaks and dips in ma-
laria rates during the year would occur at different
times for each area. Reportedly, 85 percent of the
personnel infiltrating from North Vietnam have
malaria, with as many as 30 percent of them con-
tracting the virulent falciparum strain. Untreated
or improperly treated falciparum malaria has a
comparatively high mortality rate and, in addition,
presents the possibility of "blackwater fever."*
Bacillary and amoebic dysentery, typhus, plague,
cholera, beri-beri, scurvy, trachoma, and many
other diseases are a constant threat and account
for a great number of noncombatant patients.
The second most important disease next to ma-
laria is gastrointestinal disease and resultant dysen-
tery. While seldom fatal, it can sweep through a
troop unit in epidemic proportions. The general
low level of sanitation and hygiene contributes
greatly to the high incidence. Sy
,me outbreaks of
dysentery have affected virtually 100 percent of a
unit, and as much as 43 percent of a unit has been
unable to perform duty on a particular day 21 23-26
Command medical policies found in captured
documents constantly stress importance of malaria-
prevention programs among VC/NVA troop units.
Virtually all NVA troops and the majority of VC
troops are issued mosquito nets and antimalarial
prophylactic medication. In most units, the pla-
toon leader, a political officer, has the responsibility
to see that the troops use the nets and medication.
Four different antimalarial drugs are in use by
the VC/NVA to prevent or suppress malaria. The
most frequently used chemoprophylactic is Chloro-
quine, 41.1 percent: followed by Quinine, 29.4 per-
cent; Chloroquanide, 23.5 percent; and Quinacrine,
6.0 percent. There is no evidence at present to
suggest that the VC/NVA are administering the
sulfone group of drugs (e.g., DDS-a prophylactic
agent used against Chloroquine-resistant malaria).
Likewise, the use of the combination of quinine and
pyrimethamine, used successfully by US troops for
falciparum malaria, has not been reported.8 23 25 27 28
MEDICAL FACILITIES
The VC have established a multitude of medical
facilities at every echelon of the medical service.
For the most part, the larger VC treatment facilities
fall into the category of hospitals. These vary in
size from 20 to 30 beds to some as high as 500
* A severe form of malaria associated with extensive de-
struction of red cells and urinary excretion of hemoglobin.
 .patients. One such example, the Le Loi Division
Hospital located in Cambodia, consists of about 50
buildings covered with bamboo thatch. The sick
and wounded are housed in buildings, each of
which measures 6.0 by 2.5 meters and accommo-
dates six persons. Seriously ill patients are housed
in two buildings, each of which measures 20 by 25
meters and holds 16 persons. This particular hos-
pital has a capacity of 500 patients. There are
"wards" or buildings for internal disease, external
disease (wounds), surgery, postoperative care, and
infectious diseases.
In more secure areas, such as those in Cambodia,
all the hospital facilities may be located within a
single area. The area is surrounded by a fortified
perimeter and may be guarded by one or two com-
panies of troops. In less secure areas, the ward
buildings may be several kilometers apart. There
would be no perimeter fortifications in these in-
stances, but there are troops assigned for security.
There are numerous reports of VC medical facil-
ities in Cambodia. These vary from small hospitals
such as those organized for the Dakto battle to large
hospitals capable of handling 3,000 patients. . There
have been unconfirmed reports of. high ranking VC
being treated at "Calmette" Hospital in Phnom
Penh and at a recuperation facility at Sihanouk-
ville 3 29-38
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
The medical supply system has been adequately
managed by the Viet Cong to date, although there
are an increasing number of reports of serious
deficiencies. Also, numerous repots have been
noted recently of medical supply shortages in North
Vietnam resulting from the demand from the South.
Example of Medical Supplies Issued to a Viet Cong Soldier
Infiltrating from NVN to SVN
1. Vitamin B, ..........................
2. Vitamin C ...........................
3.. Quinine .............................
4. Aspirin .............................
5. Dysentery pills .......................
6. Licorice cough pills ....... : ...........
7. Water purification pills ................
tube
do
do
do
do
do
tablets
1
1
2
2
1
1
20
8. Bandage ............................ roll
1
9. Tape ............................... do
10. Cotton .............................. do
11. Iodine .............................. bottle
12. Cholera pills ......................... tube
13. Typhoid fever pills ................... do
1
1
1
1
B. Item Unit
Quantity
1. Vitamin & ......................... tablets
100
2. Vitamin C .......................... do
100
3. Quinine do
100
4. Mercurochrome ...................... bottle
1
5. Adhesive bandage .................... roll
1
6. Cotton .............................. box
1
7. Menthol ointment .................... do
1
8. Diarrhea tablets tablet
unspecified
9. Aspirin ............................. do
do
10. Water purification tablets ............. do
do
1. Nivaquine ........................... unspecified
unspecified
2. Water purification tablets .............. do
do
3. Colic pill ............................ do
do
4. "Tiger" trademarked box .............. box
do
 The medical supply system itself depends upon a
variety of sources:
1. One major source is the open market in South
Vietnam. With the exception of opiates and barbiturates,
most drugs can be purchased in pharmacies in the larger
cities without difficulty.
2. Opium grown by several Highlander tribes in Viet-
nam and Laos is crudely but effectively processed and
is used as a narcotic and analgesic. It is used also as a
source of morphine by NVA/VC.
3. The supply system is augmented by a wide variety
of "home medicines" and so-called oriental medicines.
These are prepared from various sources such as absinthe,
tangerine skins, raw ginger, and lotus leaves. Their
effectiveness is questionable and probably have more
psychosomatic application.
4. Another major source is medical supplies captured
from South Vietnamese military forces, civilian plantation
stocks, and hamlet dispensaries. Some Viet Cong military
operations have been directed specifically toward obtaining
these supplies from hamlets and supply convoys.
5. A final major source is the supply through North
Vietnam and Cambodia from Communist Block countries
and from the Free World. One method of delivery is by
infiltrators from North Vietnam who are individually
issued a two-pound packet prior to infiltration. The
packet usually contains penicillin and sulfa drugs and a
supply of antimalaria drugs and mild analgesics, such as
aspirin or APC tablets.* These packets are turned over
to their assigned units upon arrival in South Vietnam.
Typical packets issued to a captured infiltrator included
the items shown in table 4. Bulk supplies by regular
supply units from North Vietnam through Laos and Cam-
bodia are subject to a priority basis '
VC CIVIC ACTION PROGRAM
The VC have long recognized the political
value of medical care among the people in South
Vietnam. In order to win the support of the peo-
ple, they have provided medical care for civilians
as a part of their "civic action" program. (Fig-
ure 3 shows a civilian being examined in South
Vietnam.) Civil health and preventive medicine
* APC-aspirin, phenacetin, and caffeine.
Figure 3. South Vietnamese Civilian Being Examined
 programs concerned with sanitation and control of
diseases have been developed in many areas. Some
medical personnel even circulate within some dis-
tricts in the fashion of a "circuit rider" offering
medical care in the villages and hamlets.
An example of a VC medical program for civilians
is the Binh Duong Provincial Medical Unit estab-
lished in 1967. This unit directed all VC-sponsored
civilian medical activities in the Province. The
medical unit was composed of a Headquarters Sec-
tion, a Laboratory Section, a Dental Section, and a
Medical Section. The Laboratory Section produced
a number of pharmaceuticals and maintained a drug
inventory. The Medical Section operated five dis-
trict "hospitals" and one provincial "hospital." It
was capable of performing major surgery but lacked
oxygen and X-ray equipment. Medical and Sanita-
tion teams were available for use in villages where
they treated minor illnesses and attempted to edu-
cate the people in better health practices.
The overall program has, however, had some diffi-
culties in the past year because of shortages of sup-
plies and personnel. As a result, there have been
priority systems set up favoring military personnel.
In some areas, the VC medical system was specific-
ally instructed to limit its program because of
shortages? 39 43 46 47
10 SECRET