HCM City reactivates campaign to protect high-risk groups against COVID-19
Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Health has reactivated the campaign to protect people of the high-risk groups against the COVID-19 pandemic, including those aged over 50, those with underlying diseases and pregnant women, Deputy Director of the city’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Le Hong Nga said on April 27.
Supervising COVID-19 patient quarantine and treatment at Cho Ray Hospital (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Health hasreactivated the campaign to protect people of the high-risk groups against the COVID-19 pandemic, including those aged over 50, those with underlying diseases and pregnantwomen, Deputy Director of the city’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Le HongNga said on April 27.
Nga said that since the beginning of April, the number ofnew COVID-19 cases in Ho Chi Minh City has surged, especially from April 14,resulting in a rise in the number of hospitalised patients.
The municipal Department of Health will request thePeople's Committees of wards and communes to review and make a list of people belonging to the groups in their localities to ensure all are fully vaccinated with fourdoses.
To prevent the spread of the pandemic, the CDC alsorecommended each citizen, in addition to being fully vaccinated, must also consciouslytake preventive measures such as washing hands regularly, wearing face masks, keepingdistance, and avoid mass gatherings, especially on holidays and festivals.
In face of a risk of the COVID-19 outbreak after the nationalholidays of Hung Kings Commemoration Day, National Reunification and May Dayfrom April 29 to May 3, the municipal People’s Committee recently sent adispatch requiring leaders of departments, sectors and localities to direct thestrengthening of prevention and control measures during the five-day holiday.
The department will maintain vaccination throughout the holidays.
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases and assigned hospitals wereasked to prepare personnel, and medical equipment and supplies tooperate a hospital for COVID-19 treatment within 24 hours after it isactivated./.
Vietnam sent over 37,900 labourers abroad in the first three months of 2023, accounting for over 34% of the whole year plan, and more than 15 times higher than the same period in 2022.
Vietnam on April 27 reported 2,958 new COVID-19 cases – the highest recorded in a day in the past over six months, according to the Ministry of Health.
Vietnam now boasts a nationwide healthcare network with 1,665 hospitals, 384 of which are non-public, supported by local commune- and ward-level stations. At the end of 2024, hospital bed capacity reached 34 per 10,000 people, slightly above the global average.
The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
TytoCare, a leading Israeli telemedicine company based in Netanya, is willing to work with Vietnamese regulators, insurers, and healthcare providers to develop a sustainable digital health ecosystem.
The partnership is under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding on the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, signed in Hanoi on July 22.
An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
Health authorities in HCM City have issued an urgent alert after six people died from dengue fever, amid a spike in infections driven by the onset of the rainy season.
During the peak months of July and August 2025, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) needs at least 90,000 units of blood to supply 180 hospitals in the northern region. However, despite continuous efforts, the reserve blood is still short of 30,000 units.
The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
Currently, cardiovascular specialists from the 108 Military Central Hospital are working alongside a team of Prof.Dr. Jan D. Schmitto, Deputy Director of MHH’s Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery on clinical trials for MCS devices, implanted in heart failure patients either as a bridge to transplantation or as permanent treatment.
The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.
Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
Supervising COVID-19 patient quarantine and treatment at Cho Ray Hospital (Photo: VNA) 
