HCM City to relocate water supply sources amid worsening water pollution HCM City authorities plan to gradually relocate its water supply sources further upstream of the Sài Gòn and Đồng Nai rivers as part of its effort to ensure clean water for local use. Experts have warned that the current main source of water has become seriously polluted due to the impact of socio-economic development along the Sài Gòn – Đồng Nai river system. The city currently draws some 94 per cent of the water for treatment at a spot downstream of where the Sài Gòn River meets the Đồng Nai River, at the Hòa Phú pumping station in its Củ Chi District, and at Hóa An in Đồng Nai Province. Under the city’s 2020-30 water supply plan, the city will relocate the Hòa Phú pumping station to a new location, about 20 km from the existing pumping station and 15 km upstream from the junction of Thị Tính and Sài Gòn rivers. According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, water in downstream Sài Gòn River is suffering from severe microbiological pollution and slight oil contamination. Pollution indicators like ammonia, microorganisms and manganese have all increased, exceeding the permitted standards of Việt Nam and the World Health Organization. Dr. Hồ Long Phi, director of the Centre for Water Management and Climate Change under the National University of HCM City, said that pollution in the Saigon River remains ‘serious’. He said it was vital to develop hi-tech water treatment plants if the city continues to draw this water for local use. “The water upstream in the Sài Gòn and Đồng Nai rivers is in the safe zone, which is less impacted by climate change and sea level rise in the next 50-100 …
Sjgren syndrome
Vietnam War vet uses French niche to claim Agent Orange justice
Nga came online with her silver hair in rollers."My hair is way too long now. I have not made time for a haircut yet," she said, explaining the hair rollers in a video call with VnExpress International from her apartment in Paris, where she lives by herself.At almost 80, Nga gives herself no time to rest. She is busy with indictments, statements, speeches and interviews, especially since last January when her name became a byword for a doughty fighter.On January 25, Nga’s profile shot up among millions interested in the Vietnam War in general and Agent Orange in particular. That day, she officially filed a suit against 14 companies that supplied the U.S. Army with the notorious, toxic defoliant during the Vietnam War. Studies have shown that they knew it was toxic but decided to make it for profit anyway. The case was filed in the southern Paris suburb of Evry.The defendants in Nga’s case are on top of a Who’s Who list in international agriculture, like Monsanto and Dow Chemicals. She has accused them of being responsible for physical ailments and mental suffering sustained by her, her children and countless others, as well as for severe damage done to the environment."This is not my trial alone, this is not my fight alone. By now, the name Tran To Nga should only be a symbol. This is a fight for the people, for truth," she said.Nga suffers from certain typical Agent Orange effects, including type 2 diabetes and an extremely rare insulin allergy. She has contracted tuberculosis twice and a cancer once. She lost one of her daughters to a malformation in the heart. She has also suffered Alpha Thalassemie, which results in impaired production of hemoglobin, the molecule that carries oxygen in the blood, and her daughter and grandchild have the syndrome. Tran To Nga during a rally to call for justice for Agent Orange victims in Paris, 2019. Photo by Collectif Vietnam Dioxine. Nga, a naturalized French citizen now, has been fully backed by Vietnam in …
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Critical British Covid-19 patient regains consciousness, smiles to doctors
The Hanoitimes - British Covid-19 patient’s smile carried a lot of meaning, showing he has waken up from the coma. The most critical Covid-19 patient in Vietnam, who had been lethargic for months, has regained consciousness and is now able to smile to doctors, local media reported. The Covid-19 treatment sub-committee under the Ministry of Health said the patient’s smile carried a lot of meaning, showing he has waken up from the coma. His digestive system has improved. The distension in his stomach has reduced, his kidney has recovered functions and the patient has been able to move his hands and legs, said doctors at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. The patient has also developed a stronger cough reflex. His pulmonary ventilation has increased and is more stable than previous days. However, he is still dependent on life support and remains on the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine. The patient is undergoing intensive care at Cho Ray Hospital Tran Thanh Linh, deputy head of the emergency department at the hospital, said an X-ray image of his lungs a week ago had revealed tissue or fluid blocking blood vessels in both lungs, but the one taken on Tuesday showed that more than half of the left lung has completely recovered. "His muscle weakness has also reduced. This is the right time to reduce his dependence on the ECMO," the doctor said. Earlier, the patient had suffered from cytokine storm syndrome, which happened when his immune system overreacted to the novel coronavirus attack in the body, releasing too many cytokines and damaging his organs. He suffers from infection with Burkholderia cenocepacia, a type of opportunistic bacteria, which doctors said is difficult to treat. He is still on blood thinners. Doctors are also feeding him either directly or intravenously. They will focus now on curing his lung infections and making him less reliant on the ECMO machine. They are also looking for suitable …
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