A medical worker swabs a local woman for Covid-19 testing. – Photo: VNA

According to the dispatch signed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the local media recently reported that provinces are carrying out draconian anti-virus measures or those going against the Government’s guidelines.

For instance, some provinces arbitrarily collect pre-vaccination testing fees from people, while some local authorities constantly change regulations on dining services. Some others increased their Covid transmission risk levels not in line with the prevailing rules, reportedly causing concerns over the coronavirus among local people, leaving a negative impact on public passenger transport activities and many other services.

The Health Ministry is reportedly mapping out new guidelines on the safe adaptation to Covid, according to Tuoi Tre newspaper.

In related news, Nguyen Anh Dung, deputy head of the HCMC Health Department, told a conference held on January 12, that enhancing the grassroots-level medical facilities is among the key tasks of the municipal health authority this year.

However, the current workforce at local medical stations across the city has yet to meet the demand for healthcare services among the city’s population. Medical workers have to handle multiple healthcare programs simultaneously, while doctors have to manage management and medical treatment activities.

The city also faces a shortfall of leadership positions for medical stations, heads of departments and divisions at medical centers due to qualification and State management issues.

Besides, fresh graduates usually do not apply to grassroots-level hospitals due to lower incomes and limited opportunities for expert training compared to those at city-level facilities.

Accordingly, more effective measures need to be taken to improve the healthcare workforce, such as offering expert training and more incentives to retain medical workers at grassroots-level facilities. There must also be cooperation policies between the grassroots- and upper-level hospitals, the health official said.

Source: SGT 

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