* Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem Works with Hanoi
* Minister Mai Ai Truc Visits Quang Nam
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Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (center) visits the closed slaughter chain of Huynh Gia Huynh De Company |
On the morning of November 9, during a meeting with members of the Ho Chi Minh City Avian Flu Prevention Steering Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized the critical importance of communication efforts. The city must continue to excel in this area through various channels. The Deputy Prime Minister asserted: “No matter the cost, we must ensure enough vaccines are purchased. As for Tamiflu, we must secure sufficient supplies for the people by any means necessary (purchase or production).”
He also requested that in the event of a large-scale outbreak, the city must implement the principle of “three on-site”: facilities on-site, personnel on-site, and equipment on-site. Therefore, he urged the Ministry of Health to enhance the number of isolation beds and ventilators for health stations at the ward and commune levels (previous plans only equipped hospitals and district health centers).
Additionally, the health sector must focus on training lower-level medical staff to effectively respond to an outbreak. Regarding medications, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed: “No matter the cost, we must ensure enough vaccines are purchased. As for Tamiflu, we must secure sufficient supplies for the people by any means necessary (purchase or production).”
According to Minister of Health Tran Thi Trung Chien, if an outbreak occurs, Vietnam could see 10% of the population infected, with a mortality rate of 1%. The Minister expressed concern that if a pandemic strikes, the country’s hospital beds would only accommodate about one-fourth of the projected need.
Nguyen Thien Nhan, the permanent deputy chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, stated that after November 15, the city will have only three large poultry slaughter facilities that operate under closed processes: Huynh Gia Huynh De Company, An Phu Sinh Company, and An Nhon Company, all under the Saigon Agricultural Corporation. Moving forward, the transport of poultry from provinces to slaughterhouses in the city must follow designated routes with proper signage. The city is also considering support measures for the remaining 51 licensed slaughtering establishments to facilitate their transition to other industries.
* On the morning of November 9, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem inspected avian flu prevention efforts and the preparedness for human influenza in Hanoi.
According to a report from the city People’s Committee, the Hanoi Department of Health has conducted training for doctors and medical staff at all public hospitals regarding monitoring and treatment protocols during an influenza outbreak. Notably, 90 private healthcare facilities in the city also participated in this large-scale training.
According to Le Quy Don, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, Hanoi will allocate approximately 50 billion VND for epidemic prevention efforts and to support households that must cull poultry during this year’s outbreak.
* In the afternoon of November 9, after inspecting the avian flu situation in Thang Binh District and the preparations for flu treatment at Quang Nam General Hospital, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Mai Ai Truc held a meeting with relevant departments in Quang Nam Province.
During the meeting, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, chairman of Quang Nam Province People’s Committee, reported an outbreak of avian flu in three districts: Thang Binh, Nui Thanh, and Que Son. Currently, over 1,500 poultry and hundreds of birds have died under unexplained circumstances.
YEN TRINH – N.HA – H.NHAN