Health

From 2021 till now, the country has recorded 17,451 cases of hand-foot-mouth including four deaths in the Mekong Delta provinces of Kien Giang, An Giang and Long An. This year cases of hand-foot-mouth are four times higher than last year. In its document to chairpersons in people’s committees across the country, the Ministry called on people to increase information about disease prevention as well as implement activities to improve people’s health conditions. The best way to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease from spreading is to practice good hygiene. Therefore, the Ministry advised people to strictly keep personal and environmental hygiene to prevent the contagious disease. The health sector was requested to early detect outbreaks of hand, foot, mouth to curb the rapid spread of the disease. Moreover, hospitals must restrict the transfer of patients so as to reduce the overloading in big hospitals as well as provide timely treatment to seriously ill patients to prevent deaths. Additionally, medical centers must apply preventive measures to curb hospital-acquired infections especially cross-infection between hand, foot-mouth patients and other diseases such as measles, pneumonia and respiratory problems. The education sectors were required to adopt preventative activities against hand, foot, mouth in educational facilities especially preschools and kindergartens. Schools must install washbasin with soaps where children can wash their hands regularly as well as clean floor and tables, desks daily. By Minh Khang - Translated by Uyen Phuong …

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People exercise at a park in HCM City. Health experts recommend that people carefully watch what they eat, be physically active, avoid the use of tobacco and alcohol, and lower stress levels. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - Although average life expectancy has increased, the number of cases of non-infectious disease among Vietnamese has risen, said Dr Nguyen Thi Kim Tien , head of the Department of Health Protection and Care of Central Officials. Tien spoke at an annual national workshop on health and longevity held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 8. The average life expectancy of Vietnamese is 73.6 compared to 68.6 in 1999, according to the population census in 2019. However, Vietnamese women are ill an average of a total of 11 years, compared to eight years for men, she said. “Non-infectious chronic diseases are the number one killer today, with more than 70 percent of deaths coming from cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes,” she noted. The number of cases increase significantly from the age of 40 due to aging, inadequate nutrition, high consumption of tobacco and alcohol, stress, and other factors. “The number in Vietnam has reached alarming levels,” she said, adding that “how we age depends hugely on how we behave.” She said that people should carefully watch what they eat, be physically active, avoid the use of tobacco and alcohol, and lower stress levels. “You should listen to your body and see a doctor as soon as possible if ill because early detection is important in treatment, reducing mortality and improving quality of life,” she said. Aging population In 2011, Vietnam began to enter the period of an aging population and is one of the countries with the fastest aging rates in the world. In 2017, the number of people 60 years and older accounted for 11.9 percent of the total population. This group will account for about 21 million people by 2038, or 20 percent of the population. The number will reach 27 million or 25 …

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Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese Mission to the United Nations, has called on the international community to make constructive contributions to help Myanmar prevent violence, promote an environment conducive to dialogue and reconciliation while respecting the country's principles of independence, national sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity. Myanmar police tighten security in Yangon city (Photo: VNA) During an Arria-formula online meeting of the UN Security Council member states which was co-chaired by the UK, the US, Estonia, France, Ireland and Norway on April 9, Ambassador Quy urged supporting the role of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General on Myanmar and creating favourable conditions for the envoy's working trip to Myanmar. He stressed the top priority to ensuring life, security and safety of all, and unobstructed humanitarian aid to those in need of help, especially vulnerable groups in society. He called on parties concerned in Myamar to refrain from violent acts, conduct dialogues and reconciliation according to will and aspirations of the people, for the sake of peace and stability in the region. Quy affirmed that Myanmar is a member state of the ASEAN family and the bloc is ready to help the country in a constructive and peaceful manner via related mechanisms. ASEAN member states, including Vietnam, has been working with parties concerned in Myanmar to promote dialogue and seek solutions to the issue, he said. He also called on the international community to support ASEAN’s efforts and stance, and wished that discussions at the UN and relevant important issues need consultations with ASEAN member countries and others in the region. Rapporteurs at the event expressed concern over current situation in Myanmar and warned about the risks of economic, food and health crises as well as a civil war. Many opinions called for refraining from violence and preventing tension escalation, while asking …

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