Sa Thầy District's disease checkpoint in the Tây Nguyên province of Kon Tum is set up to prevent the outbreak of diphtheria. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The Prime Minister has requested relevant ministries, city and provincial people’s committees, especially in the Central Highlands, to strengthen the prevention of diphtheria, amid an outbreak of the disease.

In his official dispatch No 862/CĐ-TTg, the PM has asked the city and provincial people's committees, health departments and relevant agencies to closely monitor the situation, detect and thoroughly handle cases to prevent widespread transmission in the community.  

Health departments are asked to mobilise local people to implement preventive measures and guide suspected cases to medical centres for examination and treatment.

Local departments of health were organising vaccinations against diphtheria for target groups, especially in the Central Highlands, ensuring sufficient medical equipment and medicines for patients.

The Ministry of Education and Training will direct local departments to implement hygiene measures in schools and kindergartens to ensure a clean environment.

The Ministry of Finance is asked to ensure adequate funding for diphtheria prevention and control activities on the basis of proposals of the Ministry of Health.

The Administration of Medical Examination and Treatment, under the Ministry of Health, has requested three leading hospitals in HCM City be ready to support distance medical advice and technical assistance to hospitals in the Central Highlands region.

The Central Tropical Diseases Hospital, HCM City Tropical Diseases Hospital, and HCM City Children's Hospital 2 will set up hotlines to connect with hospitals and health centres in the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) region.

Hospitals will send health workers to the Central Highlands provinces, to support training, diagnosis and treatment of diphtheria for local health facilities.

Hospitals will ensure supply of medicines and room facilities.

The Administration of Medical Examination and Treatment has requested directors of the provincial departments of health to actively coordinate with these hospitals for technical assistance when needed. Local departments of health continue to guide the diagnosis and treatment of diphtheria for all health facilities throughout the province, including the private health system, for early detection, timely quarantine and treatment of patients with diphtheria. — VNS