World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Vietnam Kidong Park (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – It appears that
Vietnam has been able to put the recent COVID-19 outbreaks under control, which
started in the central city of Da Nang in late July, World Health Organisation
(WHO) representative in Vietnam Kidong Park has said.
In a recent interview with the Vietnam News
Agency, he named the factors that have contributed to this result.
The first is the rapid activation of the
response system. After detecting the first case, Vietnam quickly activated its
rapid s nationwide. Therefore, the country was able to detect and
isolate suspected cases and those having close contact with travellers
returning from pandemic-hit areas quickly, curbing the further spread of the
SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19.
The on the ground
was rapidly scaled up. The Vietnamese Government promptly deployed a
specialised team of experts in outbreak investigation, laboratory and clinical
management. With this move, the country was able to provide high quality public
health and clinical care to patients and minimise the loss of lives.
Park also spoke highly of Vietnam’s
continued transparent information sharing and communications of risk messages.
Accordingly, most people closely complied with guidelines by health
authorities, attributable to contain the spread of the virus.
The Government’s strong leadership at all
levels and high-level commitment have been clearly demonstrated since the start
of the outbreak, he noted. In the same way, Vietnamese people have been doing
their part to support the Government in protecting themselves and their loved
one.
The successful control over the
outbreak in Vietnam so far reflects these collective efforts, the WHO official
affirmed.
Regarding the development of vaccines in
Vietnam, he said WHO welcomes all vaccine development programmes around the
world, including Vietnam.
As of September 8, there had been 179
COVID-19 candidate vaccines under development, including those in Vietnam. Of
which, 34 are at clinical evaluation stage, he said.
WHO is working with partners across the
world to facilitate research and development, approval, mass production and equitable
distribution of effective and safe vaccines.
He said that Vietnam can gain access to COVID-19
vaccine via internationally coordinated aid through COVAX facility mechanism
co-led by WHO, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic
Preparedness Innovations (CEPI); procurement through a bilateral deal; or its
own development.
He emphasised that the recent COVID-19
outbreaks remind people that COVID-19 is far from over and everyone should
remain vigilant.
WHO is working with the Ministry of Health
to promote “safe coexistent with COVID-19”, which aims to achieve dual goals of
outbreak management and economic recovery.
The WHO official advised people to continue
closely following heath guidelines, such as practicing hand hygiene and keeping
away from crowded places with many people./.
Source: VietnamPlus
