A doctor at Lạng Sơn Lung Hospital performs computed tomography. VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuấn

HÀ NỘI — The Health Ministry’s Department of Medical Service Administration recently requested hospitals nationwide not to refuse or delay treatment of emergencies during the national holidays of Hùng Kings Commemoration Day, National Reunification and May Day from April 29 to May 3.

In a dispatch sent to hospitals and Departments of Health in provinces and centrally-run cities, the department asked them to make sure there are sufficient staff on duty in administrative, professional, management, and security aspects, to ensure that all patients in emergencies receive check and treatment.

Hospitals must be prepared for a quick response in case of emergency mass accidents, serious traffic accidents, disasters involved large numbers of people (if any) as well as ensure food safety and hygiene, prevent drownings, and warn of accidents at places with a large number of tourists.

There must be a hotline available round the clock to deliver instructions and coordinate with other medical institutes when needed. 

They are also required to submit daily reports on medical checks and treatment activities, and the handling of traffic accidents and COVID-19 infections. In the event of special developments such as outbreaks of COVID-19 or similar dangerous pandemics, disasters, mass accidents or food poisoning, related units must send an urgent report to their direct management agencies for prompt solutions.

Regarding the risk of mass COVID-19 infections, Dr Nguyễn Huy Hoàng, Director of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment and Research Centre under the Defence Ministry’s Việt Nam-Russia Tropical Centre, said that during the national holidays, the number of people travelling by public transport, and the density of visitors at tourist destinations will increase sharply, leading to the risk of infection with COVID-19 and other diseases.

To ensure health and safety, he advised those at high risk to stay at home, avoid going to crowded places, and arrange travel on another occasion.

Holiday-makers need to follow the health ministry’s requirements of wearing face masks and disinfecting regularly, added Hoàng. — VNS