Interagency reproductive health kits for crisis situations

DMSc-TB FastAmp (TB-LAMP) kit (Photo: AEC Healthcare) Bangkok (VNA) - The Department of Medical Sciences (DMS) under the Thai Ministry of Public Health has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AEC Healthcare on the transfer of DMSc-TB FastAmp (TB-LAMP) kit production technology, aiming to support tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control. DMS chief Dr Supakit Sirilak said there are at least 150 new cases of TB detected per 100,000 people every year in Thailand , citing data collected by the Department of Disease Control. This means over 105,000 new cases are found annually in the country, he noted. A fast and accurate diagnosis method can be helpful. However, the price can exceed 300 baht (8.76 USD), higher than the 200-baht subsidy provided by the National Health Security Office. Therefore, the development of the TB-LAMP kit can improve diagnosis and affordability. The kit can detect bacteria that cause TB by analysing samples using the loop mediated isothermal … [Read more...] about Thailand to produce tuberculosis test kit

According to a new regulation announced recently by the Ministry of Health, starting April 27, hospitals will be allowed to use the price quote from one seller of exclusive equipment to set up a bidding price for such equipment. Price negotiation would only be applied to bidding packages on the purchase of patented medicines and ingredients produced by only one or two manufacturers. Previously, hospitals had to procure medicines and equipment through bidding, and set the prices based on the price caps set by the Ministry of Health within the previous 12 months, and the new prices must not be higher than the old prices. Hospital leaders said they could hardly meet this requirement, because it meant prices had to keep going down, which is basically against the market rules. In case the bidding prices had not been announced by the ministry, hospitals needed to have at least three quotes from three different sellers of an equipment or medicine, which in some cases has been impossible … [Read more...] about Medicine supply crisis could ease as Vietnam removes cap on bidding prices

At a meeting with the largest U.S. business delegation to ever come to Vietnam, which included the representatives of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, Hue said that the recently proposed special consumption tax has been under consideration for a long time to curve consumer shopping habits and to protect their health. The process of applying this tax, however, will be considered thoroughly, taking into account the situation of businesses post-pandemic, he said, adding that there will be no sudden application of the tax. The Ministry of Finance has recently proposed a special consumption tax on sweetened beverages as well as the same tax on alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. The Ministry last made this proposal in 2014 calling for a tax 10% tax on sweetened beverages, but the proposal was not approved by many government agencies. Most businesses have said that the tax should be delayed until 2025 as they need time to recover from the Covid pandemic. They also said that sweetened … [Read more...] about Tax on sugary drinks proposed for the benefit of people’s health: NA chairman

Illustrative photo (Photo: who.int) Vientiane (VNA) – The loss of life for mothers during childbirth reached its lowest point in Laos ’s history, according to a new United Nations report. The report estimates that between 2000 and 2020, the number of pregnant women who died per 100,000 live births dropped from 579 in 2000 to 126 in 2020 – a reduction of 78.7% – one of the fastest falling rates in the world. In contrast, in nearly all regions of the world, declining maternal mortality rates slowed or stagnated, according to the report "Trends in maternal mortality" produced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on behalf of a group of United Nations entities, including UNICEF, UNFPA, and the World Bank Group. WHO Representative Dr. Ying-Ru Lo said that the commendable, lifesaving progress reflects years of commitment and investment by the Lao Government and partners. It combines better health services, facilities, and more highly skilled healthcare staff, … [Read more...] about Laos sees dramatic improvements in health of mothers: UN report

As of March 25 evening, 10,614,899 COVID-19 patients have recovered. Only one patient is receiving breathing support, and no fatality was recorded in the past week. The number of deaths from COVID-19 stood at 43,186, accounting for 0.4% of the total cases. The pandemic has been under control across the country, with both new cases and deaths on the decline. However, risks still remain, including possible appearance of new variants of greater danger. Therefore, the Health Ministry has built a plan on response to such threats. The ministry will continue to closely monitor disease situations at border gates, in communities and health establishments, while pushing ahead with COVID-19 vaccination and communication activities on COVID-19 prevention and control. Prevention and control measures will be timely adjusted to ensure proactive response to new developments related to COVID-19. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Timely adjusting anti-COVID-19 measures to ensure public health

A dengue fever patient receives treatment. (Photo: suckhoedoisong.vn) Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Health reports that the number of dengue fever cases across the nation has increased 2.3 times in the first two months of 2023 compared to the same period last year, with southern and central provinces being hit the hardest. In response to the growing crisis, the ministry has issued a directive to the people's committees of provinces and cities to implement preventative measures before the peak months of 2023. The directive urges localities to disseminate information on dengue fever and organise activities for the ASEAN Day of Dengue Prevention and Control. Additionally, relevant agencies and the medical sector have been assigned to carry out campaigns on environmental sanitation and larvae eradication, ensuring that households in epidemic and at-risk areas are regularly monitored for mosquito's breeding grounds such as water tanks and waste bins. To facilitate early … [Read more...] about Enhanced dengue prevention measures needed as cases rise

Sao Mai Kindergarten in Bac Ninh city in the northern province of Bac Ninh ensures food safety for students’ lunch. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The national action month for food safety this year will have the theme "Ensuring food security and safety in the new situation", according to a plan which has been issued by Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan. In the plan, the ministry said that food security and safety has received the attention and direction from the whole political system from central to grassroots levels. Legal documents on food safety management have been reviewed and supplemented to meet the requirements of domestic management and international integration. Awareness and responsibility of authorities, organisations, business establishments and the people about food safety have changed positively. Organic raw material areas and safe food supply chains have been formed. However, ensuring food safety still has many shortcomings and limitations. Many business … [Read more...] about National action month on food safety to be launched

WHO representative in Vietnam Dr Angela Pratt. (Photo: Ministry of Health) Hanoi (VNA) – World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Vietnam Dr Angela Pratt has said that Vietnam is in the sustainable management phase of the COVID-19 pandemic as the situation continues to stabilise with a very low number of reported daily cases, and importantly no reported deaths in over two months. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency , the official said that now in the fourth year of the pandemic, Vietnam and the world are in a much better place than they were even 12 months ago. “The tools and vaccines we have are proven to protect lives and significantly reduce risk of severe illness and death and also, in most places, to enable health systems to function more normally again,” she said. She added it is hoped that 2023 will be the year in which COVID-19 can be said to be over as a public health emergency of international concern. Assessing Vietnam's response to … [Read more...] about Vietnam in sustainable management phase of COVID-19 pandemic: WHO representative

A health worker checks the body temperature of foreign passengers at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City . (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City's health sector is ready to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic during the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays and festival season 2023. COVID-19 treatment hospital No.13 and be ready to activate within 24 hours when the pandemic situation worsens. All general and specialised hospitals in the city must be ready to receive and treat COVID-19 patients. Lunar New Year and festival season 2023. health sector will promote COVID-19 vaccinations and organise the peak month of vaccination from January 5 to the end of February, including the Tet holidays, to create favourable conditions for all people to be vaccinated on schedule./. VNA … [Read more...] about HCM City ready to respond to COVID-19 pandemic during Tet

Naomi Kitahara, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Vietnam, speaks to Vietnam News reporter Thu Trang about the milestone of Vietnam's population passing 100 million next month, and the challenges and opportunities that this will bring. Naomi Kitahara. — Photo courtesy of the UNFPA What do you think about Vietnam's population passing 100 million people next month? In comparison with other countries in the region and the world over, how will be Vietnam’s population scale? Vietnam’s population will soon reach 100 million and Vietnam will become the 15th most populous country in the world. This should be seen as an important milestone for Vietnam, and I would like to congratulate the Government of Vietnam as this demonstrates a story of triumph. Vietnam, which was once a war-torn country, has successfully taken a substantial number of people out of poverty, and achieved remarkable socio-economic growth including health, education, … [Read more...] about Population of 100 million provides many great opportunities for Vietnam: UNFPA