In the early hours of November 24, a task force from Cho Ray Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), in coordination with the HCMC Youth Union, departed for Khanh Hoa province to assist with rescue and relief operations in response to devastating flooding.

The medical delegation consists of six members, including doctors and nurses from the Departments of Orthopedic Trauma, Emergency Resuscitation, Intensive Care, and Anesthesiology and Resuscitation. The team is led by Nguyen Phuc Huy, MSc., MD, First Degree Specialist.

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Medical staff from Cho Ray Hospital head to central Vietnam to support flood relief efforts. Photo: Provided by the hospital

From November 24 to 28, the group will participate in emergency response and rescue efforts in flood-isolated areas across Khanh Hoa province. They will also provide medical care for around 150 HCMC volunteers currently deployed to support local recovery efforts.

On November 25, the hospital plans to deliver 500 family medicine kits to assist residents affected by the floods.

On the afternoon of November 22, Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCMC Department of Health, announced that emergency response plans had been activated, and that medical forces were being urgently mobilized to support provinces in the south-central region facing severe flooding.

The Department of Health instructed hospitals and medical units under its authority to assess their personnel, including doctors, nurses, and technicians, for potential deployment upon request from the Ministry of Health and local authorities. Hospitals were also told to implement emergency protocols, prepare mobile medical units, transportation, environmental sanitation supplies, and essential medical equipment for emergency treatment.

As of November 22, dozens of doctors and nurses from Thong Nhat Hospital, Military Hospital 175, People’s Hospital 115, the Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopedics, the Hospital for Rehabilitation and Occupational Diseases, and An Binh Hospital have arrived in Khanh Hoa. They are currently providing direct medical care both at provincial hospitals and within the community, focusing on the hardest-hit flood zones.

In parallel with personnel mobilization, several hospitals in HCMC are actively rolling out a campaign to distribute "family medicine kits" to support residents in flooded areas.

Each kit includes fever reducers for both adults and children, anti-diarrheal medication, oral rehydration salts, antiseptics, cotton swabs, gauze, hand sanitizers, soap, essential medicines for common illnesses, and a detailed instruction sheet on safe usage and disease prevention during the rainy season.

An initial 10,000 kits will be delivered to people in Khanh Hoa.

The Director of the HCMC Department of Health emphasized that, in all circumstances, the city’s healthcare sector stands ready to join hands with provinces severely affected by natural disasters.

Phuoc Sang