Health

HCM City enhances use of IT for disease surveillance

Ho Chi Minh City will expand the use of GIS technology this year for surveillance of infectious diseases, such as hand-foot-mouth, throughout the city after successfully piloting it for dengue fever.
HCM City enhances use of IT for disease surveillance ảnh 1The city’s Preventive Medicine Centre last year used GIS technology for disease surveillance (Photo courtesy of the Preventive Medicine Centre)

HCM City (VNA) - Ho Chi MinhCity will expand the use of geographic information system (GIS) technology thisyear for surveillance of infectious diseases, such as hand-foot-mouth,throughout the city after successfully piloting it for dengue fever, deputydirector of the city’s Preventive Medicine Centre, told Viet Nam News.

Last year, the city recorded nearly 5,000 patients with hand-foot-mouthdisease, according to the preventive medicine centre.

“This IT application, especially the GIS technology, was one of the methodswhich the city applied last year to help reduce new dengue fever incidences,” Hungadded.

According to the city’s Preventive Medicine Centre, the city last year reportedmore than 19,500 cases of dengue fever, dropping from 22,099 in 2016. Lastyear, six people died due to the disease while five died in 2016.

The city saw a decrease in new incidents of the Zika virus infection, which istransmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, with only 21 cases last year while it reported190 in 2016.

Of the 21 Zika patients, 13 were pregnant women.

Dr Nguyen Tri Dung, the centre’s head, said that the centre last year used GIStechnology to collect information on dengue fever patients, to monitoroutbreaks and track the spread of diseases on a digital map of the city’s wardsand communes, and to respond effectively to disease outbreaks.

The city had 20,844 dengue-fever high risk areas listed and monitored, Dung said,adding that 80 per cent of them were under periodic surveillance.

Hung said that 16 districts have imposed strict fines for individuals, householdsand organisations which failed to obey regulations on preventive methodsagainst dengue fever, including allowing water containers with mosquito larvae.

“Last year, the city issued the highest number of fines, with 400, an increaseof 257 fines in 2016,” Hung added.

He said that the Department of Health will continue to sign join agreementswith other departments in the city to cooperate for the regular prevention andsurveillance of diseases.

“Moreover, it will equip districts with more spraying machines and otherequipment. More training courses for health officials will be opened. Becauseit is difficult to forecast disease development, we should take the initiativein prevention,” Hung said. - VNA
VNA
#Ho Chi Minh City #expand the use of geographic information system (GIS) technology #surveillance of infectious diseases #hand-foot-mouth #Preventive Medicine Centre #Vietnamplus #Vietnam news Ho Chi Minh City
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Electronic disease surveillance system inefficient

Electronic disease surveillance system inefficient

All hospitals in the country are responsible for reporting about patients with infectious diseases through an electronic surveillance system to enable preventive health officials to take timely preventive action.
HCM City hospitals use IT to regulate antibiotic use

HCM City hospitals use IT to regulate antibiotic use

Many hospitals in HCM City use software to monitor the prescription of antibiotics to ensure they are not abused causing bacteria to mutate to become antibiotic-resistant, a major global health problem, including in Vietnam.

See more

Patients register at the reception desk upon arrival for medical examination. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City targets free basic hospital fees for residents by 2030

Under the programme, the southern largest economic hub has set several key health targets to be achieved by 2030. The average height of children and adolescents under 18 is expected to increase by at least 1.5cm, while the average life expectancy of residents is projected to reach around 77 years, including at least 68 years of healthy living.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam extends greetings to leaders and staff of the Hanoi – Vientiane General Hospital on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Vietnamese Doctors’ Day on February 27. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese doctors in Laos help foster bilateral solidarity

Commending the Hanoi – Vientiane General Hospital’s 13-year development, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam noted that prioritising conscience and virtue has helped it build a strong reputation among Lao citizens, the Vietnamese community and international friends in Laos.

Organ transplantation at the University Medical Centre Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: the University Medical Centre Ho Chi Minh City)

Professional excellence, dedication define Vietnam’s healthcare system

When patients pull through from the brink of death, when their vital signs stabilise and transplanted hearts begin beating strongly in new bodies, the joy shared by the entire medical team is overwhelming. And when the country welcomes the New Year, saving lives takes on an even more profound significance — offering patients and their families a new spring of hope.

At Phu Rieng communal medical station in Dong Nai province (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam fosters maternal and child healthcare, advances toward 2035 goals

The under-five mortality rate in Vietnam in 2025 was estimated at below 16 per 1,000 live births, more than three times lower than the 1990 level. The infant mortality rate (under one year) declined fourfold to below 11 per 1,000, while the neonatal mortality rate dropped fivefold, from 44 per 1,000 in 1990 to 8.8 per 1,000 in 2025.

Medicine support programmes provide significant benefits to patients throughout their course of treatment. (Photo: VNA)

Over 6,000 patients receive free medicines

The schemes focus primarily on cancer, rare diseases and severe chronic conditions, areas where treatment costs are high and often require expensive biological and originator drugs.

A lung transplant surgery at the National Lung Hospital (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam reaches new height in organ transplantation

From demanding cross-country transplants to highly specialised procedures nearing regional and international standards, the sector has created new chances of survival for thousands of patients. However, persistent bottlenecks in organ donation and the legal framework highlight the urgent need to further perfect the national donation–transplantation system. In the era of advanced medicine, progress is measured not only by surgical mastery, but also by the ability to turn loss into hope and sustain life.

The DAV asks pharmacy producers and distributors to increase medicine supply capacity during Tet to meet increasing demand (Photo: VNA)

Measures rolled out to ensure adequate medicine supply during Tet

Accordingly, provincial and municipal health departments are required to direct hospitals, centres for disease control and health care facilities to urgently develop plans and carry out medicine procurement to ensure sufficient supply, absolutely avoiding shortages. Medicines must meet quality standards and be sold at reasonable prices, with no sudden price increases allowed.

Military doctors conduct ultrasound examinations for residents in Dong Dang town, Cao Loc district, Lang Son province. (Photo: VNA)

Resolution 72 opens path to a modern, sustainable healthcare system

To build a resilient healthcare system capable of meeting the challenges of ageing, emerging diseases and rising expectations for quality care, Vietnam must continue to strengthen primary and preventive care, invest in human resources, accelerate digitalisation and big data development, and refine healthcare financing mechanisms.

Vietnam steps up Nipah virus prevention at border gates (Photo: suckhoedoisong.vn)

Vietnam tightens Nipah virus prevention at border gates

Local authorities have been instructed to strengthen disease prevention and control measures at border gates, medical facilities and in the community, stay updated with global disease information, and closely monitor inbound travellers.

Nipah virus infection is designated a Group A infectious disease, with reported fatality rates of between 40 and 75%. (Photo: moh.gov.vn)

Health sector steps up preparedness against Nipah virus disease

Nipah virus infection is designated a Group A infectious disease, with reported fatality rates of between 40 and 75%. At present, no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment is available. The virus is mainly transmitted from animals to humans or through contact with contaminated food and objects, and can also spread between people via direct contact with bodily fluids and secretions of infected patients.

Member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan (Photo: VNA)

Health minister highlights comprehensive, people-centred healthcare orientation

Member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said the Politburo's Resolution No. 72 provides a breakthrough orientation for the protection, care and improvement of the people’s health. It places the people’s health at the centre of all healthcare policies and services, while aiming to address long-standing bottlenecks in the health sector that have yet to be fundamentally resolved.