The country recorded a total of 12,600 HFMD patients during the first six months of 2023 (Photo: congthuong.vn)Hanoi (VNA) – Local hospitals have been supplied
with 6,000 bottles of Plasma-derived Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) for
treatment of , foot and mouth disease (HFMD) which were delivered to
Vietnam last week, according to the under the
Ministry of Health.
As the number of HFMD infections is rising, the Ministry of
Health has directed importers to import more medicine to
meet the demands of hospitals, the administration said.
It said that currently, the amount of medicines for HFMD
treatment has basically met the demand of hospitals.
IVIG is an effective adjuvant treatment used in severe cases
of HFMD and helps to reduce the rate of transfer, as well as the rate of severe
complications of the disease in children. However, Vietnam has yet to make the drug domestically.
The production of the drug is entirely dependent on the
supply of plasma through blood donation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the
number of people donating their blood decreased significantly, a factor which
caused a shortage of raw materials for Immunoglobulin production on a global
scale.
In this context, since the end of last December, the
Ministry of Health has directed medical facilities and importers to order the
medicine to ensure IVIG supply. However, the complicated developments of HFMD
and higher number of severe cases this year have led to a
surge in demand.
The ministry has also provided professional guidance to
medical facilities and strengthened preventive measures against the disease,
minimising deaths.
According to the Ministry of Health, the country recorded a
total of 12,600 HFMD patients during the first six months of 2023. In only one
month from May 19 to June 18, 5,383 cases were reported./.
Source: VietnamPlus
