Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Health on January 12 conducted a medical services drill at the National Convention Centre to ensure health and medical preparedness for the coming 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
The exercise, chaired by Professor Dr Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health, President of the Vietnam National Medical Council, and head of the medical subcommittee serving the congress, brought together more than 40 leading experts in various fields.
Addressing the event, Thuan underscored that the congress is a major political event of historic significance, marking a new phase of development for the country. Ensuring medical services, including disease prevention and control, food safety, emergency response, and medical examination and treatment for delegates and guests, is both an honour and a major responsibility for the health sector.
The ministry has issued emergency response guidelines for common medical conditions, developed contingency plans for disease prevention and control, and assigned specific responsibilities to its departments, affiliated hospitals and the Hanoi Department of Health.
In terms of facilities, each hotel accommodating delegates has been equipped with an on-site emergency room. At the National Convention Centre, an intensive care area comparable to a modern hospital ICU has been set up, along with two emergency and treatment rooms. These are fully equipped with ambulances, automated CPR devices, defibrillators, ventilators, heart-lung machines, mobile digital X-ray systems, bedside ultrasound devices, rapid testing equipment, and essential medicines and supplies. The ICU is connected via teleconsultation with the medical subcommittee and leading hospitals, including Huu Nghi Hospital, Bach Mai Hospital, 108 Central Military Hospital and Viet Duc Hospital.
The drill marked the transition of the entire health sector into a full state of readiness. Four emergency scenarios were rehearsed, including cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, stroke and multiple trauma, led by Bach Mai Hospital and Viet Duc Hospital, with coordination from other major hospitals.
Concluding the exercise, the Deputy Minister commended the thorough preparation of personnel, equipment and facilities, and urged continued review under the principle of “maximum preparedness, minimal use.” He emphasised seamless coordination, clear command and control, and uninterrupted communications to ensure the highest level of health safety for all delegates before, during and after the congress.
According to the plan, medical teams will participate in a full rehearsal at the National Convention Centre on January 13 to finalise all preparations ahead of the 14th National Party Congress, which will take place from January 19 to 25./.
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