A two-day national conference opened in Hanoi on Oct. 25 to analyse and seek ways to prevent accidents and injuries in Vietnam.

The conference, the second of its kind, is organised by the Health Ministry in coordination with the World Health Organisation and the United Nations’ Children Fund, drawing the participation of representatives from central and local governments health authorities, and scientists.

Topics of discussion include the reality of accidents and injuries in Vietnam including traffic accidents, child accidents and injuries and labour accidents, as well as experiences in implementing and appraising policies and programmes to prevent accidents and injuries and build a safe community.

In Vietnam , the health sector has coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies in prevention of accidents and injures, gaining remarkable in the fields.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Viet Tien reported that information dissemination regarding accidents and injuries prevention were implemented in most cities and provinces in the country and the network of first aid and basic care of injuries were strengthened.

As of December 2010, 116 communes in the country carried out the safe community programme and 30 percent of provinces were able to set up the network of first aid and injuries care.

In Vietnam , about 900,000 people suffer from accidents or injuries each year resulting in 34,000 deaths, making up 11-12 percent of the total deaths of all causes nationwide./.