Ministry of Health's instruction on proactively implementing medical tasks in response to No.3 typhon and floods in Vietnam

Ministry of Health's instruction on proactively implementing medical tasks in response to No.3 typhon and floods in Vietnam (Image from the internet)

On September 5, 2024, the Ministry of Health issued Official Telegram 1101/CD-BYT regarding proactive implementation of medical tasks in response to storm number 03 and floods.

Ministry of Health's instruction on proactively implementing medical tasks in response to No.3 typhon and floods in Vietnam

According to the announcement of the storm situation in the East Sea (storm number 03) by the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting; In the morning of September 3, 2024, the storm named YAGI passed through Luzon Island (Philippines) into the Northeastern part of the East Sea, becoming the third storm to operate in the East Sea in 2024. At 07:00 on September 5, 2024, the storm center was located in the northern waters of the North East Sea, approximately 520 km east of Hainan Island (China); the strongest winds near the storm center were level 15 (167 - 183 km/h) with gusts above level 17; the storm moved westward at about 10 km/h, potentially making landfall with very strong intensity and directly affecting the marine and mainland areas of the Northern and North Central regions.

Implementing the directive of the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam in Official Telegram 86/CD-TTg on September 3, 2024, regarding urgent implementation of response to storm number 3 in 2024;

To proactively respond to storm number 3 and the flooding situations, the Ministry of Health requires the Health Departments of the Northern and Central regions’ provinces and cities; and the units under and affiliated with the Ministry of Health in the Northern and Central regions to urgently implement the following:

- Strictly implement the directive documents of the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam; the National Civil Defense Steering Committee; the local Civil Defense Command and the Ministry of Health regarding proactive response to storms and floods, ensuring safety for the people.

- Closely monitor the developments of the storm, rainfall, flooding, flash flood warnings, landslides, and subsidence due to rain or runoff as announced by the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting; proactively implement storm and flood prevention, control and response work. Review the unit's storm and flood prevention and control plans to ensure they meet the practical needs of the locality.

- Organize 24/24 professional and emergency duty shifts; be ready for emergency admissions for victims caused by rain and flooding; ensure uninterrupted emergency and treatment services for the people; ensure the provision of essential medical drugs for the population, promptly replenish stockpiles of drugs, chemicals, and supplies for disaster prevention and search and rescue. Implement measures to protect medical facilities in prone areas affected by floods; proactively evacuate medical facilities in low-lying areas at risk of being submerged, experiencing flash floods, or landslides.

- Organize environmental sanitation, disease prevention, ensure food safety in response to storms and flooding; arrange and stabilize medical examination and treatment facilities, and ensure medical examination and treatment work for the people after the floods.

- Report damage situations, needs, local capacity to ensure security, and request support when beyond the local capacity to the Ministry of Health (via the Planning and Finance Department) for consolidation and reporting to competent authorities for decision-making.

More details can be found in Official Telegram 1101/CD-BYT dated September 5, 2024.

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE