Int’l cooperation needed for COVID-19 fight: Official
Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung on January 15 highlighted the need to enhance international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, especially as the disease still threatens the lives of millions of people around the world.
Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung speaks at the seminar (Photo: Baoquocte)
Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung on January 15 highlighted the need toenhance international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, especially as thedisease still threatens the lives of millions of people around the world.
Addressing a seminarheld jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Embassy in Vietnamto discuss measures to further promote international cooperation in responding tohealth challenges, Dung said no country or territory can control the pandemicon its own.
Along with domestic efforts to contain the spread of the disease, as a responsiblemember of the international community, Vietnam advocates the policy of joining handswith other countries in the fight, Dung affirmed.
Vietnam supports the World Health Organisation (WHO)in its role in coordinating global pandemic control efforts, Dung said, adding thatas Chair of ASEAN in 2020 Vietnam promoted intra-bloc cooperation in preventingand controlling the pandemic.
Participants at the event (Photo: Baoquocte)
Within the framework of the UN, Vietnam proposed an “International Day of Epidemic Preparedness”, which aims to raise the awareness of individuals, communities, states,and the international community on the need to have a permanent sense of epidemicprevention in all activities.
The initiative was approved by the UN, receiving huge support and sponsorship from the international community,the official said.
WHO Chief Representative in Vietnam Kidong Park said Vietnam’s pandemic preventionefforts have proven effective compared to countries with a larger or equal population.
He congratulated the country on clinical trial of its first COVID-19 vaccine, expressinghis hope that it will record more achievements in vaccine production.
Participants discussed Vietnam’s experience and policies on bilateral andmultilateral cooperation in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic as well as otherhealth threats, and the role of WHO in disease prevention.
They also emphasised the necessity of further enhancing global coordination in producingvaccines./.
Vietnam will contribute 100,000 USD to the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund and is committed to contributing 5 million USD worth of medical supplies to the Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc announced at the 37th ASEAN Summit on November 12.
Leaders from ASEAN member countries, and the Republic of Korea (RoK), Japan and China shared the view on the need to enhance their cooperation in the COVID-19 fight and economic recovery, during the 23rd ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit held online on November 14.
Vietnam has performed strongly in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, with only a small number of infections and fatalities among its population of 97 million, former German Vice Chancellor Philip Rosler has said.
In 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic is causing serious impacts on all countries around the world, Vietnam’s patriotic emulation movements on COVID-19 prevention and control have proved effective, contributing to putting the pandemic under control.
The Border Guard Command of Vietnam's central Quang Binh province and the Military Command and police of the Lao province of Khammouane on January 13 looked into border defence, entry and exit management, and the COVID-19 fight.
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.
Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung speaks at the seminar (Photo: Baoquocte) 
Participants at the event (Photo: Baoquocte) 
