HCM City: nearly 1,500 respiratory arrest cases given first aid via phone

Nearly 1,500 cases of out-of-hospital respiratory arrest in Ho Chi Minh City received first aid via phone over the past year. In addition, the emergency force has gradually offered specialised emergency services, targeting such groups as mentally-ill patients, those with depression and suicidal thoughts, stroke patients, and those with multiple injuries.

Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA)
Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – Nearly 1,500 cases of out-of-hospital respiratory arrest in Ho Chi Minh City received first aid via phone over the past year, helping to improve the rate of successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation by 11%, according to the municipal Health Department.

Director of the department Tang Chi Thuong said that the city now has 44 satellite emergency stations, contributing to the coverage and provision of emergency services to all districts, towns, and Thu Duc city in the southern metropolis. The number of emergency calls via hotline 115 has increased 40 times compared to 2013 and before.

In addition, the emergency force has gradually offered specialised emergency services such as emergency care for mentally-ill patients, those with depression and suicidal thoughts, stroke patients, and those with multiple injuries.

Thuong noted that in 2013, the city has only one hospital in charge of providing out-of-hospital emergency services with five ambulances and a capacity of receiving about 5,000 calls per year.

Last year, the HCM City People's Committee approved a project on developing a professional out-of-hospital emergency system for the 2024-2030 period, aiming to build three centres in the three specialised medical clusters in the city. The city is considering the implementation of air and waterway emergency services and working to enhance connectivity with neighbouring areas, including the Mekong Delta, Southeastern provinces, and island areas.

Developing out-of-hospital emergency is considered a strategic solution to turn Ho Chi Minh into a medical hub in ASEAN./.

VNA

See more

From 2026, all residents in Ho Chi Minh City will receive periodic health check-ups or screening at least once a year under a roadmap. Illustrative image. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City to offer annual health check-ups for residents

In the initial phase in 2026, priority will be given to children under 24 months old, students, out-of-school minors, contracted employees, probationary workers, apprentices, public officials, members of the armed forces, social protection beneficiaries and people aged 60 and above.

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.