What is Disease X? How dangerous is Disease X? What are necessary conditions for school health offices in Vietnam?

What is Disease X? How dangerous is Disease X?

To understand what Disease X is, you may refer to the following article:

Disease X is a term used by the World Health Organization (WHO) to describe an unidentified disease that could potentially cause a future pandemic. This is a new, unpredictable disease with potential for widespread transmission and significant impact on public health. "Disease X" does not refer to a specific illness but is a concept for preparedness in future medical emergencies, where a novel disease could emerge and spread.

Disease X is considered dangerous because it is a new, unknown disease with rapid spreading potential, leading to a global pandemic. The factors that make Disease X dangerous include:

Fast spreading capability: As a new disease, humans do not have natural immunity, so it can swiftly spread among individuals and communities.

Unpredictability: Disease X can appear unexpectedly, making it difficult for medical systems and authorities to prepare and respond promptly.

Lack of treatment methods: As a new disease, treatment methods and vaccines may not be promptly developed, hindering disease control.

Significant impact on society and economy: A pandemic from Disease X could paralyze healthcare systems, severely affect economies, and cause substantial loss of life.

Therefore, even though Disease X is not identified as a specific disease, its risks and impacts could be severe without preparedness and prompt response from countries and global health organizations.

Note: The content is for reference purposes only!

What is Disease X? How dangerous is Disease X? What are necessary conditions for school health offices in Vietnam?​ (Image from the Internet)

What are necessary conditions for school health offices in Vietnam?

Based on Clause 1, Article 8 of Joint Circular 13/2016/TTLT-BYT-BGDDT, school health rooms must ensure the following essential conditions:

- Schools must have a separate health room, ensuring sufficient space and located conveniently for first aid, emergency care, and student health care;

- Health rooms in primary, secondary, high schools, multi-level general schools, and special schools must be equipped with at least one examination bed, a patient bed, a desk, chairs, a tool cabinet, regular working equipment, scales, measuring tape, a blood pressure monitor, a thermometer, a vision test chart, leg and arm splints, and some essential medicines for first aid and student health care as stipulated in Decision No. 1221/QD-BYT dated April 7, 2008, of the Minister of Health on the promulgation of the list of equipment, essential medicines used in school health rooms of primary, secondary, high schools, and multi-level general schools. For preschool educational facilities, specialized equipment and essential medicines suitable for the age group are required;

- Have patient examination records according to form A1/YTCS as specified in Circular 27/2014/TT-BYT dated August 14, 2014, of the Minister of Health regulating the system of statistical health application forms for provincial, district, and communal health establishments; student health monitoring books according to form No. 01 and comprehensive student health status monitoring books according to form No. 02 as prescribed in Appendix No. 01 issued together with this Joint Circular.

How to organize health education communication activities for students in Vietnam?

Based on Article 10 of Joint Circular 13/2016/TTLT-BYT-BGDDT, organizing health education communication activities for students is regulated as follows:

- Compile and use health education communication materials with content tailored to each target group and the specific conditions of each locality.

- Organize communication and health education for students and their parents or guardians about preventive measures for infectious diseases, food poisoning prevention, proper nutrition, physical activity, prevention of the harmful effects of tobacco, prevention of the harmful effects of alcohol, school-related illnesses, dental care, prevention of eye diseases, and injury prevention, along with other communication and education campaigns related to school health activities initiated by the Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Education and Training.

- Integrate health education and disease prevention content into lesson plans.

- Organize student practice of personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, control of infectious diseases, food poisoning prevention, proper nutrition, physical activity, prevention of the harmful effects of tobacco, prevention of the harmful effects of alcohol, prevention of school illnesses, dental care, prevention of eye diseases, and injury prevention through suitable forms and models.