Vietnam contributes to global response to COVID-19 outbreak

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long speaks at the meeting. Photo: moh.gov.vn

A human rights-based approach to the pandemic is based on values. It prioritises the most disadvantaged and vulnerable and it is holistic. It also highlights international assistance and cooperation.

In recent months, Vietnam's governments, businesses, and people have donated supplies such quick test kits, medical masks, personal protective equipment and rice as well as cash donation to assist the fight against COVID-19 in many nations.

While countries around the world face severe mask shortages, Vietnam's governments, businesses, and people have been began to support and provide material assistance to nations struggling to equip frontline medical workers. Vietnam has been highly appreciated by many countries for the spirit of solidarity. Although it is also affected by COVID-19, Vietnam is still willing to share resources, provide medical assistance and create favorable conditions for citizens of countries to stay here.

The aid illustrates Vietnam’s continued willingness to assist other countries on a bilateral and multilateral basis to the best of its abilities even as it continues to remain cautious about managing its own coronavirus challenge at home.

Moreover, the country has actively shared its experiencein preventing and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and lessons to make the initial success in treating the disease, as well as upcoming orientations of its Ministry of Health (MoH) for the work.

Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long and World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Vietnam Kidong Park on December 3 co-chaired a health partnership meeting titled “Health Partnerships and Cooperation in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic”.

The event was held to share lessons of Vietnam in battling the pandemic and discuss global trends in seeking and accessing vaccine and new treatment methods, as well as preparations for disease prevention in the coming time.

Delegates also touched on models for cooperation and partnership in containing the spread of COVID-19.

Minister Long thanked international partners for their support to Vietnam’s health sector and collaboration to fight the pandemic, affirming that the country is ready to respond to the coming waves.

Vietnam has gained certain achievements in COVID-19 prevention and control and won international recognition in the field, he said, affirming that health partnerships and cooperation have a significant role to play.

Further cooperation in seeking measures to set up the “new normal” is vital, along with maintaining current preventive methods and carrying out cooperation in the development and access to vaccine and new treatments, he added.

The Health Minister said that Vietnam is working with partners on the supply of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure people’s access in the fastest manner, in keeping with the Government’s guidelines.

The country has also created the best conditions for vaccine research and enjoyed positive signs in pre-clinical trials, Long noted.

For his part, Park pledged that WHO will continue its close collaboration with the MoH in the coming time, and confirmed the effectiveness of Vietnam’s COVID-19 response system.

He said the health system needs to be ready to cope with new outbreaks, maintain essential health services and protect vulnerable residential areas, among others.

Health partnership group presented to Vietnam more than 290,300 personal protective equipment (PPE), nearly 1.4 million face masks and 740 ventilators, which greatly contributed to Vietnam’s efforts to tackle COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health handed over more than 2 million masks, ventilators, PPE, and COVID-19 test kits to 22 countries and territories.

As the Chair of ASEAN in 2020, Vietnam proposed the establishment of the Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies and is actively taking part in the formation of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED).

The US had requested Vietnam to be the location of a regional office of its Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which was agreed by the Vietnamese Government.

Mai Nguyen