Also attending the conference were Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam. The conference was connected online to over 700 bridge points in 63 provinces and cities across the country.
At Binh Duong bridge point, there were Mr. Nguyen Van Danh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and leaders of departments and branches.
As reported by the Ministry of Health, in the particularly challenging context of 2021, under the leadership of the Party, the management of the State, the direction and administration of the Government, the Prime Minister, with the support of the great national unity bloc, Vietnam's health system has operated beyond its limits, well performed urgent activities in pandemic prevention and control, and conducted and researched perfecting the medium and long-term innovation strategies of the branch (on network structure and function operation, health human resources, health finance, health information, etc.).
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presides over the conference
The Health branch has brought medical services to the grassroots for timely and effective access to the people, especially the establishment of more than 700 mobile medical stations. Timely mobilizing more than 300,000 officials and soldiers of the medical force, army and police to support localities in implementing social distancing and strengthening social distancing.
The branch also contributed to the development of the Covid-19 vaccine strategy, promoted vaccine diplomacy, established the Vaccine Fund, etc. and launched the largest free vaccination campaign for the entire population ever. From a country with a very low vaccination rate, it has risen to one of the six countries with the highest vaccination coverage rate in the world. Up to now, the vaccine coverage rate for people aged 18 and over with 1 dose is nearly 100%, with 2 doses is 95%; people from 12 to 17 years old with 1 dose is 92%, with 2 doses is 76%. The number of hospitalized infections, severe cases, and deaths decreased significantly.
Delegates attend at Binh Duong bridge point
Implementing the Conclusion of the Central Committee, with the effective advice of Ministries and agencies, especially the Ministry of Health, the Government has promulgated and deployed Resolution 128/NQ-CP. The redirection to "safe, flexible adaptation, effective control over the Covid-19 pandemic" has been effective and gained the people's consent and support; many experts and international organizations considered it an important decision, creating a foundation for socio-economic recovery and development. The guidelines, policies and measures for the implementation of pandemic prevention and control were assessed by the Central Government as correct and timely, and directed and organized to implement promptly and decisively, achieving important results.
In 2022, the national Health branch will continue to give priority to the successful implementation of the Covid-19 prevention and control program (the 2022 - 2023 period); improve adaptability, resilience, towards universal health care coverage, improve people's physical and mental health, stature, life expectancy and quality of life, etc.
Speaking for direction at the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that in 2022, it is forecast that the international and domestic situation has advantages and opportunities, but more difficulties and challenges. Omicron variant and possibly other new variants will appear, making the Covid-19 pandemic more complicated and unpredictable. In the spirit of perseverance, resolutely putting people's health and life first and foremost, the Prime Minister requested the Health branch to follow the Resolution of the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly and Resolution 01/NQ-CP of the Government to institutionalize and concretize into appropriate measures, policies and action programs, to organize and implement synchronously and effectively; at the same time, based on the actual situation to direct and operate in an active, flexible, creative, drastic, right direction, with focus and key point, to best meet the requirements of serving the people.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gives a directive at the conference
Continuing to focus on the Covid-19 prevention and control; implement the "on duty" mode, be ready for any situation and effectively implement Conclusion 25 of the Politburo; consistently implementing regulations on safe, flexible adaptation, effective control over the Covid-19 pandemic and building a monitoring and evaluation system.
Deploying "faster and faster" to implement a vaccination campaign quickly, safely, scientifically and effectively, speeding up vaccination for children, giving booster doses; having a safe and effective plan to reopen schools; accomplishing assigned goals.
Strengthen self-control, first of all about medicines, vaccines and essential supplies; promoting research, development and technology transfer for domestic production of vaccines, therapeutic drugs, medical equipment and biological products; quickly reviewing and recognizing domestically produced vaccines and medicines to ensure scientific principles, safety and effectiveness.
Focusing on improving treatment capacity to reduce the risk of severe progression and death. Having plans to be ready to organize mobile medical stations in areas with complicated developments. Well organizing the monitoring, health care and treatment of F0; ensuring that everyone infected with Covid-19 is managed, monitored, supported, and provided with appropriate medical care. Forecasting new variants of SARS-CoV-2 and the entry into Vietnam, etc.
Reported by Yen Nhi - Translated by Nguyen Trang