The "standing command room" of the health ministry at the National Convention Centre, Hà Nội, where the 13th National Party Congress is underway. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Trường Sơn early Monday inspected the medical preparedness at the National Convention Centre where the 13th National Party Congress is being held, before the first preparatory session got underway.

Sơn has also witnessed the inauguration of the Intensive Care Unit room, run by Bạch Mai Hospital, and noted that all preparations appear to be “proper and complying with guidelines.”

The hospital has outfitted the ICU room with artificial heart-lung machine to use in critical cases, on-site and portable ventilators, digital X-ray machines, and made sure that all standby medical rooms are connected to the TeleHealth system for prompt and timely diagnosis and consultation.

Other than ICU Bạch Mai, Hữu Nghị (Friendship), medical isolation faculty from the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases (the premiere hospital for COVID-19 treatment in the northern region), and Hà Nội Centre for Disease Control, are all involved in the efforts to serve medical needs of the delegates.

Sơn said every morning, he will have a meeting with the medical personnel and he expects reports of the day before on three issues – medical examination and treatment, COVID-19 surveillance efforts, and food safety.

As per the order from the Congress’ organising board, the health ministry has raised the medical preparations for the 13th National Party Congress to the highest level – even compared to previous congresses, with all medical plans and scenarios carefully deliberated, given the ongoing pandemic.

Even though the coronavirus situation in Việt Nam is under control, the health ministry has not forgone necessary precautions, and carried out synchronised anti-epidemic measures at all steps and all venues where the Congress is held as well as the accommodation sites of the participating delegations.

The health ministry has conducted COVID-19 testing for delegates, service staff and other people who attend the Congress – including members of the press, and so far, 10,000 samples have been confirmed to be negative twice.

Even the staff of the hotels where the delegates stay during the event have been tested two times, from security personnel, to waiting staff, receptionists, to cleaners and drivers.

As of Monday, Việt Nam has undergone 55 days without any recorded cases of COVID-19 in the community. The capital city of Hà Nội has not reported community transmission cases since August 17.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Trường Sơn (left) reviews the condition of medical equipment at the medical room.  VNA/VNS Photo

All hotels have been fitted with a medical group comprising two doctors and two nurses, in addition to one ambulance vehicle on standby, and sufficient amount of medicines.

Around 500 medical workers have been deployed to serve the Congress.

All large hospitals in Hà Nội are also ready to provide treatment when needed, according to the health ministry. — VNS