WEF ASEAN 2018: Seminar looks to improve ASEAN healthcare

A seminar discussing the opportunities, challenges and current trends of the healthcare system in ASEAN took place in Hanoi on September 13 as part of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN) 2018.

David Sin, Founder and Deputy Chairman of Fullerton Healthcare Corporation Limited (Singapore), said that in the next 10 years, total spending on healthcare in the Asia-Pacific will account for 45 percent of the global figure, with the growth rate of health costs standing at 8 percent.

Over the period, the region is estimated to have 460 million people over 65 years old, 65 million people with obesity problems, and 275 million people over 18 years old with complications related to weight.

Asia is also said to have the fastest ageing rate compared to other global regions.

It is possible for ASEAN to make some breakthroughs in healthcare system with the development of science and technology in collaboration with economics, he said.

Meanwhile, Senior Strategy Advisor of Policy and Philanthropic Partnerships for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Asia, Hari Menon, said that ASEAN needs to devise financial plans in order to support poor citizens’ access to healthcare. As countries must work together to improve the healthcare system, the public and private sectors should also do the same to find significant partners. 

President of Novartis Mexico Alexis Serlin said although the region is facing many difficulties, new discoveries brought about by technology and pharmaceutical products have offered opportunities to the healthcare system. Notably, the establishment of an electronic health database will contribute to the interventions, raising the efficiency of treatment.

Chief Executive Officer for Philips ASEAN Pacific Caroline Clarke said that home healthcare has surged in ASEAN and around the world. Meanwhile, new technology needs to be applied in the healthcare system, such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said that Vietnam and other ASEAN nations have faced the burdens of infectious and newly-discovered diseases, as well as non-communicable ones.

While quality in hospitals has been enhanced, Vietnam’s early screening system is yet to be completed and needs improvements in the time to come.

The country’s health sector is working to bring fundamental healthcare programmes to more than 13,000 remote and mountainous villages nationwide, she noted.

The sector is calling for private firms to invest in Vietnam’s healthcare system, as well as seeking sources from State budget, bond capital mobilisation, and official development assistance.

Education to raise public awareness about health knowledge will improve the livelihoods and productivity of Vietnamese workers, thus making greater contributions to the national economy at all levels, Tien said.

She also revealed that Vietnam’s health sector will set up a programme consisting of three systems – namely smart hospitals, smart patient access, and smart health management, adding the Ministry of Health will cooperate with relevant agencies to accelerate the programme in the time ahead.

Huế saves a rare pig-tailed macaque

A representative from the Huế Forest Management Unit (left) receives the pig-tailed macaque from the Huế Pet Relief Society. — Photo dantri.com.vn

The Huế City Forest Management Unit in the central province of Thừa Thiên-Huế on Sunday received a rare pig-tailed macaque from the Huế Pet Relief Society.

The macaque weighed 7kg and was covered in light brown fur.

Trần Văn Sơn, head of the Huế Pet Relief Society, said that a resident living on Minh Mạng Road in Huế City attempted to sell the macaque on social media. The members of the society agreed to donate money to buy and save the animal.

The municipal Forest Management Unit will release it into the forest.

The macaque, whose scientific name is Macaca leonina is listed in the Việt Nam Red Data Book, which is a list of rare and endangered species of fauna and flora native to the country. The number of macaques has decreased recently as their habitat has been damaged, forest areas are increasingly encroached and destroyed, and they are hunted for sale and export. 

Automobile Association Việt Nam launches in Hà Nội

Mike Noon, President of the FIA Region II and New Zealand Automobile Association (right) presents a certificate launching the Automobile Association Việt Nam to Greig Craft, president of AFF and AIP Foundation in Hà Nội yesterday. — Photo courtesy of the organising board.

The Automobile Association Việt Nam (AAV) was officially launched today in Hà Nội by the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP).

Its roadside assistance, including car towing and repairs, will be carried out in partnership with leading car dealers and insurance companies. Towing and repair shop contracts have already been completed in 60 provinces around the country.

There will be numerous benefits including discounted rates for insurance, travel and tourism packages for both Vietnamese and other global members, along with services for the issuance of International Driving Permits for both Vietnamese and foreigners.

The AAV is adopted by the Federation Internationale d’Automobile (FIA) General Assembly.

Besides Hà Nội, its offices will initially be opened in HCM City and Đà Nẵng with services offered to members throughout the country.

The AAV intends to become a leading membership organisation in Việt Nam, with a wide range of products and offerings.

“The AIP has made great contributions to making the road safer in Việt Nam over the past 20 years. I believe, with the establishment of AAV, they will together with the government continue to increase people’s awareness on road safety, while reducing injuries and fatalities caused by traffic accidents,” said Nguyễn Trọng Thái, chief secretary of the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC).

Mike Noon, President of the FIA Region II and New Zealand Automobile Association said during the event that: “Road safety and saving lives is a major part of our mission and so having the AAV — founded by AIP Foundation, and with the support of NTSC — is essential.”

In collaboration with the AIP Foundation and NTSC, the AAV will be well positioned to advance road safety initiatives. All AAV profits will be reinvested back into road safety projects, member benefits and charitable activities. 

Điện Biên struggles to relocate residents from danger zones

Residents in Hua Thanh Commune repair their house after a typhoon. — Photo nhandan.com.vn

The northern mountainous province of Điện Biên has been trying to relocate residents from landslide and flood zones, but is facing a shortage of capital and available land.

One of the areas at risk is Co Pục Village in Hua Thanh Commune.

Resident Quàng Văn Lảng said that they were afraid whenever it rained.

Quàng Văn Thiêm, another villager, said that on August 16, a hill beside his house gave way and blocked the door with soil and rocks. It took several hours for volunteers to dig them out, and now they are stuck in temporary accommodation.

Vì Văn Tân, head of Na Hý Village, said that landslides were a regular occurrence, but this year had been worse than most.

The same situation occurs in Pa Xa Xá Village in Pa Thơm Commune at the base of Pắc Xá Nọi Mountain. On August 30, 268 people had to seek refuge in the commune’s People’s Committee building to avoid a landslide.

Major Đặng Văn Hạnh, deputy head of the Pa Thơm Border Guards, said that relocation remained a problem due to limited land and funds.

Lò Văn Tiến, deputy chairman of Điện Biên’s People’s Committee, said that due to a shortage of funds, relocation efforts were running late.

Since 2016, the province has moved 217 households, and had planned to spend VNĐ2 billion ($86,900) this year to relocate a further 100.

Households affected by pond breakage given assistant money

A man sit looking at the debris of his house which was destroyed by waste pond breakage.

Households who were badly affected by waste fertiliser pond breakage in Bảo Thắng District of the northern mountainous province of Lào Cai were handed over financial assistance, reported e-newspaper vietnamplus.vn.

The compensation was VNĐ10 million (US$460) for each family given by  DAP No.2 Stock Company under the National Chemical Group (Vinachem) based in Tằng Lỏong Industrial Zone in Bảo Thắng District.

Previously, the Vinachem group and the company had offered VNĐ7 million for each household.  So far, the total compensation money reached VNĐ17 million (US$700) for each family who was affected by the incident.

Last week, a waste pond breakage that discharged over 45,000cu.m of mud and untreated chemical-filled wastewater in the district has severely affected the local people’s lives and the ecosystems of surrounding areas. 

The wastewater flooded households in Tằng Loỏng Town and Phú Nhuận Commune. Two houses were swept away and another 35 were affected along provincial road No 151. The provincial People’s Committee has asked Bảo Thắng District’s authority to review the damages and set up plans of compensation.

So far, the district has made a list and negotiate the compensation to 35 affected households.

The households would be reallocated to safe areas.

Now, the province’s highway 151 has been ready for travelling after many days of cleaning up, the paper said.

The cause for pond breakage was investigated, the paper said. 

Road connecting Nội Bài-Lào Cai Expressway approved

Nghĩa Lộ Road will connect the Nội Bài-Lào Cai Expressway. 

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has agreed to a change of plan on the Nghĩa Lộ Road connecting the Nội Bài-Lào Cai Expressway, reported online newspaper vietnamplus.vn.

The Ministry of Transport has been asked to co-operate with Yên Bái Province’s People’s Committee to work on the new plan.

Last month, the Prime Minister issued decision 949/QĐ-TTg on investment projects for transport connection in northern provinces.

Nghĩa Lộ Road will help meet transport demands in Yên Bái Province and create a complete transport network in northern provinces.

The road would also contribute to socio-economic development in Nghĩa Lộ Township, and districts the of Mù Căng Chải, Văn Yên and Văn Chấn in Yên Bái Province.

Fire damages discotheque in downtown Đà Nẵng

Firemen try to stamp out a fire at a discotheque in downtown Đà Nẵng. The fire damaged the building, but no deaths were reported. 

More than 100 firemen and 10 fire-trucks were deployed to stamp out a fire at a club in downtown Đà Nẵng on Tuesday.

The city’s fire department said the fire, which occurred at the Lego Club at around 7am, was put out after four hours.

The fire did not damage neighbouring buildings, but posed a threat for residents and tourists on the main shopping street.

image: http://image.vietnamnews.vn//uploadvnnews/Article/2018/9/11/chayleduan18190113752AM.JPG

More than 100 firemen were called to put out the blaze. — VNS Photo Lan Anh

According to the fire department, three people were killed in a fire at a private house in Ngũ Hành Sơn District last year.

In 2012, a serious fire destroyed 100ha of forest land on the Hải Vân Mountain Pass in Liên Chiểu District.

The fire is under investigation. 

Policeman overdoses mistaking crystal meth for water

Vĩnh Long Province General Hospital. — Photo thanhnien.vn

A 26-year-old police offiicer has died in the Mekong Delta province of Vĩnh Long after drinking a massive overdose of liquid crystal meth.

Chợ Rẫy Hospital and the Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry on Monday revealed that doctors from Vĩnh Long Province General Hospital where Nguyễn Đức Đạt was hospitalised had failed to check the patient’s medical records.

On July 13, Nguyễn Đức Đạt and his team raided a drug den in Long Phước District, after which, Đạt felt thirsty and drank what appeared to be water from a bottle at the scene.

According to Thanh Niên (Young People) newspaper, Đạt was rushed to Vĩnh Long Province General Hospital after showing signs of abnormal behaviour, from where he was transferred to the provincial hospital of psychiatry where he died an hour later.

Huỳnh Thanh Mộng, deputy director of the provincial police department, said they would work with the provincial People’s Procuracy and People’s Court to handle the case.

Hà Nội rearranges traffic to reduce jams

A police officer directs traffic on a street in Hà Nội. Road directions have been rearranged in Hoàn Kiếm District to limit traffic jams. — Photo baodautu.vn

The Hà Nội Department of Transport has rearranged traffic on several roads around central Hoàn Kiếm District to reduce traffic jams in the area.

As per the department’s plan, automobiles will run one way on Hàng Khoai Street and will be banned from turning left on Nguyễn Thiếp Street.

Cars will also run one way on Nguyễn Thiện Thuật Street. Automobiles wanting to go from Hàng Khoai Street to Trần Nhật Duật Street will have to travel towards Hàng Khoai-Nguyễn Thiện Thuật-Cao Thắng-Trần Nhật Duật.

The plan has been put in place since last Saturday.

The Hoàn Kiếm District Police, the Hà Nội Department of Transport and local authorities will collaborate to instruct residents and drivers from now until this Saturday.

Strict punishments will be given to violators from next week.

More signs will be installed in the area to direct drivers.

Livestock die due to hemorrhagic septicemia in Nghệ An

A buffalo dies due to hemorrhagic septicemia in Xiêng My Commune in Tương Dương District. — Photo vov.vn

More than 100 buffaloes and cows have died recently due to hemorrhagic septicemia in Con Cuông and Tương Dương districts, the central province of Nghệ An.

Hemorrhagic septicemia is a severe bacterial disease caused by certain strains of Pasteurella multicoda and is frequently fatal. It primarily affects cattle and water buffalo, but infrequently affects pigs, small ruminants, and other hoof-stock.

The epidemic started in Đồng Tiến Village, Lạng Khê Commune in Con Cuông District.

On September 4, a household in the village discovered that their buffalo had died in the forest. Since then, a number of other buffaloes and cows in the village died. Several households even had five buffaloes dying from the disease.

After receiving reports from residents, local authorities immediately enacted different measures to control the disease. However, local residents often let their animals wander, thus it was difficult to prevent the spread of the disease.

The Con Cuông District People’s Committee has banned livestock and poultry being transported out of the district and provided vaccinations for the animals. Local farmers have received more education on preventing the disease.

The Tương Dương District People’s Committee on Monday also set up plans to prevent the disease from spreading.

As many as 43 buffaloes and cows died from the disease in the district’s Xiêng My Commune.

Kha Văn Ót, vice chairman of the People’s Committee, said that the district called on local residents to collect their animals from the forest so they could be vaccinated.

The district has reported the situation to the provincial Department of Animal Health for support and instruction. 

Households evacuated after landslides

A landslide destroyed homes in Long Xuyên City of An Giang Province. – photo dantri.com.vn

Eleven households – a total of 43 people – in Mỹ Hòa Hưng Commune in the southern province of An Giang were urgently evacuated from areas prone to erosion, reported online newspaper Dân Trí.

Huỳnh Lê Thùy Dương, vice chairwoman of Mỹ Hòa Hưng Commune’s People’s Committee told the paper that erosion occurred yesterday on the riverbank, covering an area of 52m in length and 25m in width.

Local authority quickly moved to evacuate the affected households to safe areas, Dương said.

The landslide destroyed roads and caused 13 houses to collapse, threatening the lives of residents.

At present, other areas of the city are at risk of further erosion, so locals were asked to move to safe places, the vice chairwoman said.

Fortunately, the landslide happened during the day so there were no casualties, she told the paper.

Landslides were first reported in the commune in 2011. 

Vietnamese Catholics in HCM City contribute to country’s development

Speakers at the 8th Vietnamese Catholics’ national development and defense conference (2018-23 term). — Photo qdnd.vn

The Catholic committee in HCM City will continue promoting charitable activities, education and healthcare, contributing to the city’s socio-economic development, the chairman of the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics (CSVC) in HCM City said on Wednesday.

Speaking at an event organised by the CSVC, Priest Phan Khắc Từ, said the Vietnamese Catholics were proud of the country’s great achievements. 

Nearly 600 priests, civil servants, intellectuals and parishioners from all walks of life attended the 8th Vietnamese Catholics’ national development and defence conference (2018-23 term).

“The Party and State respects freedom of religion and recognises it as a legitimate need,” Từ noted.

Từ said he highly valued contributions from the Catholic community to the nation’s development, and that people from all backgrounds and religions across the country should show their solidarity and strive for political stability.

In the past five years, Vietnamese Catholics have greatly contributed to many fields, including healthcare, social affairs, education, and charity, with nearly VNĐ352 billion (US$15.13 million) in donations. In addition, some 31,000 people donated blood in the period. 

In the next five years, CSVC in HCM City will continue promoting the tradition of national unity, and strive to enhance the patriotic movement among Catholics in the city.

The committee will focus on strengthening the path of being a “companion with the nation”, as well as spreading teachings related to family and society.

After the law on religion comes into effect this year, the Government will continue to amend regulations and create legal conditions for religious activities to ensure freedom of religion among followers.

Under the law, actions that take advantage of religion to divide people, cause social disorder or prevent the country’s development will be banned in Việt Nam. 

The two-day meeting reviewed the patriotic movement and the solidarity committee’s activities during the 7th term (2012-17) to draw lessons for the 2018-23 term.

Headquartered in Hà Nội, CSVC, a social organisation and a member of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front, operates under Việt Nam’s constitution and laws, and the pastoral direction of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Việt Nam. 

Mekong Delta farmers banking on longan

A longan orchard with off-season fruit in Đồng Tháp Province’s Châu Thành District. 

Longan farmers in Đồng Tháp Province’s Châu Thành District, the largest longan cultivation area in the province, are using advanced farming techniques to improve the quality of its exports.

The district has a total of 3,512ha of longan, accounting for 50 per cent of its total fruit planting areas.

In 2016, the Châu Thành longan was granted a collective brand name by the National Office of Intellectual Property.  

Farmers are using bags to cover young longan fruit to protect them from pests, apply good agricultural practices (GAP), and produce off-season longan to sell at a higher price.

The district has more than 100ha of longan planted under Vietnamese or Global GAP standards.

Farmers plant da bò, xuồng cơm vàng and Edor varieties of longan. Edor longan, a Thai longan variety, is planted on a total area of 1,565ha.

Trương Văn Rồi, director of the Châu Thành Longan Co-operative, said that farmers could earn an annual profit of VNĐ400 million (US$17,180) per ha from Edor longan at the price of VNĐ35,000-40,000 a kilo.

Seven- to eight-year-old Edor longan trees have an average yield of 17 - 18 tonnes per ha a year, while Edor longan trees aged more than 10 years have an annual average yield of 25 - 30 tonnes per ha.    

Edor longan has large fruit and small seeds, and is sweet and fragrant. It is not affected by witches’ broom disease, which affects fruiting by causing an abnormal brush-like cluster of shoots arising from or near the same point on branches.

Farmers have also used advanced farming techniques to plant off-season Edor longan and earn higher profits. 

The province’s Department of Science and Technology has provided techniques to preserve fresh Edor longan up to 20-25 days for the An Hòa Clean Agricultural Product Co-operative. 

The district has targeted increasing the Edor longan cultivation area to 2,000ha by 2020.

Farmers have been encouraged to turn ineffective crop and other fruit fields to Edor longan cultivation.

Lê Văn Nghiệp, deputy head of the Châu Thành District People’s Committee, said the district would build infrastructure and improve environmental protection for longan planting areas, and provide farmers with advanced techniques in tending, fertilising and pest management.

For longan exports, farmers have been told to apply VietGAP and Global GAP standards.

The district’s longan has been exported to many countries, including the US, South Korea and Japan.

Eco-tourism and community tourism in longan planting areas are currently being planned on Bạch Viên and An Hòa islets, which have large areas of longan. 

Residents in Tây Ninh earn income from wild herbs, veggies

The garden of Lê Văn Dĩ in Tây Ninh Province’s Trảng Bàng District. — Photo http://baotayninh.vn

Wild vegetables, herbs and leaves from trees planted on the banks of the Sài Gòn and Vàm Cỏ rivers in Tây Ninh Province’s Trảng Bàng District are known by their taste, smell and use in bánh tráng phơi sương (dew-soaked rice paper), boiled meat dishes, and fish sauce.

However, because of industrialisation, including many new factories and industrial parks, wild vegetables and herbs are disappearing.

Recognising the risk, six years ago, Lê Văn Dĩ, 54, of Gia Lộc Commune in the district took cuttings of many of the vegetables, herbs and trees growing along the two river banks to plant in his one-hectare garden.

“I have 13 kinds of plants, including trâm ổi (Lantana camara), trâm sắn (Syzygium cinereum) and others,” Dĩ said.

Dĩ’s garden is the first to meet VietGap standards in the province. “I earn nearly VNĐ200 million (US$8,575) each year from the garden.”

Many people in the village have learned growing techniques from him and have planted similar herbs and vegetables.

In 2016, the Gia Lộc Commune’s Farmers’ Association and agricultural division under the People’s Committee in Trảng Bàng District encouraged Dĩ and five households with gardens to set up a co-operative team growing naturalised vegetables, herbs and trees.

The team’s total growing areas covers 1.8ha and provides 15 kinds of vegetable, herbs, and tree leaves to the market.

The team’s products, which have VietGap certificates, are distributed in the province and neighbouring localities, including HCM City.

The team has signed purchase contracts with companies and supermarkets in Trảng Bàng District and HCM City.

Phan Văn Tấn, vice chairman of the commune’s People’s Committee, said the formation of such teams ensures that naturalised plants will survive for years.

“Local authorities will encourage more residents to expand growing like Dĩ, so the plants can have a sustainable life,” Tấn said.

Other residents in the district have followed the model and are now planting these herbs, trees and vegetables for use in cooking.

The Otaheite apple tree, for example, has leaves which give a sour taste, while leaves from black currant trees have an acrid taste.

The dishes made with these leaves, which are named Bánh Tráng Trảng Bàng (a typical rice paper), are offered to tourists who visit a historical site in Trảng Bàng District.

The leaves are also sold at many well-known restaurants in HCM City, attracting many locals and tourists.

The vegetables and herbs are used in bánh canh (rice noodle soup) and bánh xèo (rice flour pancake stuffed with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts). 

Bến Lức-Long Thành Expressway delayed due to slow site clearance

The Phước Khánh Cable Stayed Bridge is part of the Bến Lức-Long Thành Expressway, running through Long An and Đồng Nai provinces and HCM City. — Photo courtesy of the Việt Nam Expressway 

The Southern Expressway Projects Management Unit (SEPMU) has urged Đồng Nai Province to speed up site clearance to ensure the construction progress of the Bến Lức-Long Thành Expressway which runs through Long An and Đồng Nai provinces and HCM City.

“Slow site clearance has delayed the project, particularly in Nhơn Trạch and Long Thành districts in Đồng Nai,” Lê Mạnh Hùng, director of SEPMU under the Việt Nam Expressway Corporation (VEC), said.

Provincial agencies have also been asked to revoke fishing licences issued to households in the Thị Vải river area where part of the project is located.

In addition, agencies have been asked to deal with households that have not allowed the contractor to access the construction site and have demanded payment.

“The affected households are complaining about the compensation rate. They also demand that they should choose the resettled land lots instead of being based on a lucky draw.” he said. “They want their resettled land lots located at the front of streets in the resettlement area.” 

In Nhơn Trạch, 56 households have not handed over land covering more than 20ha while in Long Thành, more than 150 households have not given their land, covering nearly 8ha, according to Hùng.

A 27km-long section of the Bến Lức-Long Thành Expressway, which has a total length of 58km, runs through Đồng Nai Province.

The expressway connects Long An Province’s Bến Lức and Cần Giuộc districts with Bình Chánh, Nhà Bè and Cần Giờ districts in HCM City; and Nhơn Trạch and Long Thành districts in Đồng Nai Province.

The road includes a total of 20km of bridges, including a 3km-long Bình Khánh Bridge that crosses the Soài Rạp River and a 3.2km-long Phước Khánh Bridge over the Lòng Tàu River.

With four lanes, the Bến Lức-Long Thành Expressway has two lanes for emergency stops and a speed limit of 100km per hour.

Started in July 2014, the first phase of the Bến Lức-Long Thành Expressway required VNĐ31.3 trillion (US$1.34 billion), sourced from the Asia Development Bank, the Japanese Government via the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA), and from the Vietnamese Government.

The project is expected to be completed by 2020.

The expressway is expected to ease transport between the southeastern region and the Mekong Delta without running through HCM City, thus helping to reduce traffic congestion on National Highway No 1A in HCM City and National Highway No 51 in Đồng Nai Province.

The expressway would also connect the country’s expressway and highway networks with major seaports in the south such as Thị Vải-Cái Mép and Sao Mai-Bến Dinh, and the planned Long Thành International Airport in Đồng Nai.

It will also help ease traffic pressure and reduce the number of traffic accidents on National Highway No 1A and National Highway No 51 and at the same time reduce the travel time between Long An, Đồng Nai and Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu provinces.

Once put into operation, the expressway will be part of the Asian Highway linking Thailand’s Bangkok to Việt Nam’s HCM City and Vũng Tàu via Phnom Penh in Cambodia. 

Boiler explosion kills 1, injures 4 in Long An

The scene of the boiler explosion on Monday morning.— Photo zing.vn

One person was killed and four others seriously injured after a boiler exploded on Monday morning at a rice paper producer on Nhơn Hòa 1 Street, the Mekong Delta province of Long An’s Tân An City.

Võ Quyết Trường, 33, who sat near the boiler, was thrown 20 metres by the explosion and died from his injuries.

The explosion destroyed the walls and doors of the house. Windows of nearby houses were also broken.

Local police are investigating the cause of the accident.