Dan Tri announced the most prominent events in the health sector of the year.
1. New rules implemented
In the past year, the health sector has implemented several new policies and regulations.
The Bach Mai, Viet Duc, Cancer and Paediatrics were the first hospitals to sign a joint commitment to improve staff attitudes following the health ministry's plan to improve the image of the Vietnamese health workers. Over 40 hospitals also signed commitments to reduce overcrowding so that no patient would have to share bed.
In November, the National Assembly approved a bill to legalise sex reassignment surgery and recognise transgender people.
The adjusted Law on Health Insurance that took effect on January promises to bring more benefits to poor and ethnic minority people, with all hospital fees to be paid by health insurance if they have participated in the system for over five consecutive years.
2. Heart and liver transplants from a brain-dead organ donor
Two patients in Hanoi had heart and liver transplants from a brain-dead organ donor in Ho Chi Minh City. These transplants were notable because doctors only had one day for preparation and the heart was safely transferred after a seven-hour trip.
3. Immunisation-related incidents
2015 witnessed 11 fatality cases after using Quinvaxem vaccine. Even though the authorities announced that the causes of death was not vaccine-related, parents lost trust in the free programmes and are willing to pay higher for a shot somewhere else. This has pushed up the price of vaccines prices. Parents queued up for hours or flew their children abroad for a shot.
4. Dengue fever outbreaks
As of October, 40,000 was diagnosed with the fever and 25 died, quadruple last year’s figure. The situation was complicated due to balmy winter and lack of awareness from many residents.
5. Laws on surrogate mother
After the laws on surrogate motherhood was approved in March, the National Reproductive Assistance Centre received nearly 100 requests. It is expected that 10 children will be born by February this year.
6. Doctor Nguyen Van Thach wins Vietnamese Talents Award
A study on applying in new technology in treating disc herniation by Doctor Nguyen Van Thach at the Hanoi based Vietnam-Germany Hospital won the health prize worth VND100 million. This study gives better chances and hope for patients who are wary of surgery since it is said that their best chance is only 50%.
7. Food poisoning across the country
In October alone, there were 150 cases registered with 4,077 poisoned people and 22 deaths.
33 cases are at factory cafeterias with 2,302 poisoned workers. The cause of 70% of the cases is because the food suppliers used unhygienic food.
Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour Dang Ngoc Tung said he would conduct a vote to gather opinions from the union's members to sue companies for food poisoning.
