More than 6,500 people were admitted to hospitals in HCM City over the recent four-day holiday because of traffic accidents, physical fights, and food poisoning, among other reasons. — VNA/VNS Photo Phương Vy

HCM CITY – More than 6,500 people were admitted to hospitals in HCM City over the recent four-day holiday because of traffic accidents, physical fights, and food poisoning, among other reasons, according to the city’s Health Department.

From April 29 to May 1, of the 39,886 people visiting hospitals for emergencies or health check-ups, 825 cases were due to traffic accidents, 174 to fighting incidents, and 37 to food poisoning, among others.

Most people involved in traffic accidents had been drinking too much alcohol and driving over the speed limit.

Doctors at 57 hospitals in HCM City carried out 1,012 operations, with 11 for traumatic brain injury, the department said, adding that there were a total of 25 deaths.

Dr. Nguyễn Đình Phú, deputy director of People’s Hospital 115, said that three people died at People’s Hospital 115 on May 1.

The city’s Preventive Medicine Centre said there were no major Zika or hemorrhagic fever outbreaks during the holiday. 

The number of traffic accidents surged in Hà Nội as well, with Việt Đức Hospital taking most cases.

Dr. Trần Hà Phương of Việt Đức Hospital said that, of the 365 patients admitted to the hospital as of May 2, 215 of them had been involved in traffic accidents.

Though five operating rooms were open during the holiday, many patients had to wait due to an overload, she said, adding that there were about 30 surgeries performed in each room per day. 

Nghệ An Province saw a similar circumstance, with the number of patients increasing by 200 per cent during the holiday.

The Nghệ An Friendship General Hospital, Orthopedics Hospital, and Hospital 115 admitted over 500 patients, with 40 per cent of them due to traffic accidents while others suffered heat stroke and alcohol poisoning, among other causes.

Dr. Ngô Văn Thiết of Nghệ An Friendship General Hospital said that people need to avoid engaging in outdoor activities in the hot weather and to refrain from driving after drinking alcoholic beverages.  – VNS