This is a judgment of international organizations during a meeting between the Standing Board of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control and international organizations in Vietnam in the afternoon of July 27th in Hanoi and chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Head of the National Steering Committee, on COVID-19 Prevention and Control.
At the meeting, Chief Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam, Kidong Park, said that the development of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world is still in crisis and has not ended. Therefore, COVID-19 infections in the community in many countries have reappeared after social distancing measures were lifted.
Dr. Kidong Park, Chief Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam,
speaking at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)
On that basis, Dr. Kidong Park emphasized the role of national public health in protecting countries from widespread disease spread in general and the COVID-19 pandemic in particular.
Regarding the first infection detected through the infectious disease surveillance system, Dr. Kidong Park emphasized that Vietnam’s surveillance system is operating effectively, so it detects infection cases early. With a good surveillance system, it is normal to detect many new cases in the community in the coming time. This is the result of effective investment for over 10 years; Vietnam should continue to strengthen this monitoring system.
The WHO official highly appreciated Vietnam's COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control system for its rapid response, isolation, surveillance, traceability of cases.
He recommended that Vietnam should focus on applying measures of social distancing, public health, and limiting concentration in crowded places for a long time.
Appreciating the transparency and timeliness in sharing information of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control and the health system of Vietnam, Dr. Kidong Park said this ensures the creation and intensification of people's trust in the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.
He respected the decision to welcome Vietnamese citizens from the COVID-19-hit regions back home in the coming time with a flight bringing more than 200 Vietnamese citizens from Equatorial Guinea, including about 120 people infected with COVID-19; and a flight from Uzbekistan with more than 100 cases positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Dr. Kidong Park stated that bringing COVID-19 infected people home from abroad shows the humanitarian policy and timely attention of the government of Vietnam.
Accordingly, the number of COVID-19 cases may increase rapidly in the coming time, but it does not affect the previous successful results of COVID-19 prevention and control of Vietnam.
The Chief Representative of WHO in Vietnam believes in Vietnam's plans and scenarios in the case of a widespread pandemic; mobilize hospitals in neighboring localities to ensure other patients are treated actively, without interruption.
Appreciating the efforts of the health sector and government of Vietnam over the past time, Dr. Kidong Park affirmed the intention to continue to accompany and stand side by side with Vietnam to address the challenges caused by the pandemic.
At the meeting, international organizations desired that Vietnam continue sharing information on the changes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus; the use of test kits; and Vietnam's treatment therapy.
Thanking international organizations who have always accompanied and supported Vietnam in the prevention and control of pandemics, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam hoped that international organizations would continue to support and accompany Vietnam in the research and production of test kits; program on production of vaccines to prevent and combat COVID-19; and updating information related to genetic modification, new strain.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam will continue to closely coordinate with representatives of WHO and world organizations in Vietnam in the prevention and control of the pandemic.
The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that he would continue to strengthen the surveillance system in all private hospitals and clinics; detect COVID-19 infections timely; and strictly carry out the regulations on protection, channeling and isolation of patients, who come to have health examination.
With the appearance of dozens of new COVID-19 cases in Da Nang city, the Deputy Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Health to ready the system of facilities and hospitals in surrounding localities in the following cases: many new infections in the community in Da Nang; many patients returning to the homeland for treatment. At the same time, the health sector has an appropriate response plan to treat other patients, without affecting the health and lives of the people./.