To strengthen measures to prevent and control the epidemic during the Lunar New Year 2024 in Vietnam

To strengthen measures to prevent and control the epidemic during the Lunar New Year 2024 in Vietnam (Internet image) 

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

On January 16, 2024, the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) issued Official Letter 40/DP-DT on strengthening measures to prevent and control the epidemic during the Lunar New Year and festival season 2024.

To strengthen measures to prevent and control the epidemic during the Lunar New Year 2024

Implementing Directive 01/CT-BYT in 2024 on strengthening healthcare to ensure the celebration of the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake 2024, the Department of Preventive Medicine respectfully requests the Provincial Health Departments and Municipal Health Departments under the central government to direct and organize the implementation of the following:

(1) Advise the People's Committees of provinces and cities to promptly issue plans for preventing and controlling infectious diseases in 2024 and mobilize resources and the participation of departments, sectors, organizations, and social-political organizations in the work of preventing and controlling infectious diseases, especially during the Lunar New Year 2024.

(2) Direct healthcare units in the area:

- Direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and preventive healthcare units in the area to regularly and continuously monitor and closely supervise the epidemic situation in the area; pay attention to monitoring the increase in cases of respiratory transmission diseases and severe pneumonia caused by viruses; proactively carry out surveillance work; continue to effectively implement regular surveillance and event-based surveillance to early detect cases of disease at border gates, in the community, and at healthcare facilities for timely handling; control the spread; limit severe cases and deaths; and continue to maintain good implementation of expanded immunization work.

- Direct healthcare facilities in the area to effectively implement patient admission and timely treatment, especially during the Lunar New Year 2024, minimize transfers of severe cases and deaths, and control infections, preventing cross-infection in healthcare facilities.

- Continue to implement measures to ensure logistics, funding, drugs, vaccines, biological products, supplies, chemicals, equipment, and human resources are ready to serve the work of preventing and controlling infectious diseases and prepare response plans for different epidemic situations according to the 4-on-site principle.

(3) Advise the People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct the Departments of Education and Training, Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Department of Industry and Trade to coordinate with the health sector and relevant units to effectively implement activities including (1) disease prevention and hygiene, ensuring food safety and raising awareness of preventive measures against infectious diseases in educational institutions and schools; (2) preventing and controlling diseases in livestock and poultry, monitoring and early detection of outbreaks in animals for thorough handling of outbreaks and prevention and control of diseases transmitted from animals and food to humans; (3) strengthening inspection and strictly preventing cases of diseased poultry and poultry products, smuggling, and unclear origins.

(4) Coordinate with the Department of Information and Communications, media agencies, and the communication system to enhance communication activities on preventing and controlling infectious diseases, especially respiratory transmission diseases; advise and guide people to actively implement personal preventive measures and behavior changes to improve health.

(5) Direct healthcare units to develop plans, assign tasks, and organize 24/24 shift work during the Lunar New Year holiday; strictly implement the reporting of infectious diseases according to regulations; and mobilize and utilize legitimate resources to fully implement incentive and encouragement policies for healthcare personnel during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake 2024, especially those involved in working shifts during the holiday.

(6) Strengthen inspections, supervision, and monitoring of the implementation of measures to prevent and control infectious diseases during the Lunar New Year holiday.

More details can be found in Official Dispatch 40/DP-DT dated January 16, 2024.

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