Proposal to increase frontline capacity, limit route transfers
On the morning of March 28, a working group of the Ministry of Health led by Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan - Deputy Minister of Health inspected the work of admission for treatment of measles at Children's Hospital 1 (HCMC).
Doctor Cao Van Hiep - Head of the General Planning Department of Children's Hospital 1 said that measles has increased since June 2024, peaking in the 50th week of 2024. Currently, the number of measles cases tends to decrease.
In the first 3 months of 2025, the hospital has 1,250 inpatient measles cases, of which 473 cases are in Ho Chi Minh City and 1,047 cases are in provinces and cities near Ho Chi Minh City. Notably, the hospital recorded 99 children with severe measles, treated in the Department of Infectious Resuscitation. Of which, the number of children in the province accounts for 79.8%, the number of children who have not been vaccinated against measles accounts for 83.8%.
Children's Hospital 1 recommends that the Ministry of Health continue to increase frontline capacity, limiting referrals. At the same time, strengthen measles vaccination in the provinces.
According to Ms. Le Hong Nga - Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control, the Ministry of Health proposed upgrading and developing the national vaccination information system. The implementation of updating, reviewing and managing vaccination subjects must be carried out regularly and ensuring quality in provinces and cities nationwide.
Continue to review vaccinated subjects
Mr. Ha Anh Duc - Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management of the Ministry of Health highly appreciated the work of admission, flow and treatment of Children's Hospital 1. However, the number of hospitalizations here is still high, showing that there is still a risk.
The work of dividing the route is not good, and there are still many cases in the provinces coming to Ho Chi Minh City. Children's Hospital 1 is a specialized treatment facility, many leading experts, requiring treatment for serious illness.
Mild patients also flock here, increasing the density of the virus, easily causing cross-infection and not solving the problem. Provincial hospitals can completely treat measles.
Mr. Duc suggested that the Ho Chi Minh City health sector continue to control cross-infection in hospitals, participate in training on new measles treatment regimens for neighboring provinces, especially the Central Highlands. In the coming time, the health and education sectors will coordinate and issue regulations that children who want to go to school need to have vaccination records.
Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan - Deputy Minister of Health assessed that Ho Chi Minh City has a decrease in measles cases, announcing that the epidemic is over in 22 wards and communes is a good sign. However, measles tends to increase in some northern and north central provinces.
The total number of measles cases is over 52,000 cases, measles affects people of all ages. This clearly shows that there is a gap in measles vaccine coverage.
Thanks to the strong direction of the Government and the Ministry of Health, measles and other epidemics will be controlled in the coming time. However, do not be negligent or subjective.
Ho Chi Minh City is a leading unit in the field of healthcare and pediatrics. Therefore, there needs to be additional responsibility towards the southern provinces.
The Deputy Minister of Health requested the health sector to closely follow and continue to implement the instructions of the Government and the Ministry of Health. Propose that the hospital develop a plan for all situations. Develop a response process when there are infections, suspected infections, traffic flow, treatment isolation, comply with infection control measures, especially, minimize cross-infection.
At the same time, it is recommended that the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health direct hospitals in the area to be fully equipped with drugs and medical equipment.
Requesting hospitals and the Departments of Health of provinces and cities to strengthen communication and recommendations on epidemics and measles; increase training for lower-level hospitals, especially the southern provinces in medical examination and treatment.
Today, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management is requested to issue a document directing the Departments of Health of provinces and cities to admit and treat measles and infectious diseases. Next week, a training course on diagnosis and treatment of measles will be organized according to the latest instructions of the Ministry of Health.
In addition, it is recommended that the Department of Prevention of the Ministry of Health and related units complete the statistical system and report to have standard, relatively accurate data. From there, policy making is factual.
"Ho Chi Minh City must not be subjective, continue to review, and not miss out on measles vaccination subjects" - Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan suggested.
