Illegal substances found in feed store

A large amount of prohibited substances was found in an animal feed store in Nui Thanh District's Tam Anh Nam commune in central Quang Nam Province last Thursday.

The products found were produced and distributed by Oni Co Ltd and did not come with any receipts. The products had traces of a dangerous substance that reduces fat content and is banned by the Ministry of Public Security.

E-government further promoted

As many as 60 percent of official documents and materials exchanged between state agencies will be in electronic format by 2015, according to an instruction issued by the Prime Minister on May 23.

All ministries, relevant agencies under the government, and the people’s committees of provinces and cities nationwide have been asked to use email to exchange documents such as invitations, reports, announcements, and other official papers.

The PM also asked for the digitalization of archived documents and materials to help civil servants search for and deal with information via the net.

Information portals of the government and other units will be utilized to publish law documents and other official papers with the aim of reducing the use of hard copies.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease kills 27 kids in Vietnam

With five children dying of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) during the past two weeks, Vietnam has had a total 27 deaths of the disease so far this year, the Health Ministry reported.

All the dead were under five years old, the ministry said.

The disease has affected about 50,000 people so far this year, about 10 times higher than the same period last year.

The ten provinces and cities that are leading the country in HFMD infection are Hai Phong, Bac Can, Yen Bai, Da Nang, Lao Cai, Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc, Quang Tri, Binh Dinh and Dong Thap.

The disease has spread widely since the beginning of the year and will continue developing during the summer, the ministry warned.

HFMD is a common viral illness among infants and children that causes a fever and blister-like eruptions around the mouth and/or a skin rash.

In Vietnam the most common strain is Enterovirus 71 (EV-71), which causes sores on the mouth and blisters on the hands and feet of patients.

The ministry asked local authorities to use their budget to buy antiseptic and soap and provide the supplies to every household in areas affected by the disease.

Authorities of all levels should make the following information known to the public: the disease can be transmitted though digestive tracts; there are no vaccines or specific medicines to combat the disease; children under five years old are most vulnerable to the disease; and main preventive measures are keeping hygenic practices in eating, drinking and living.

People should wash their children’s hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after they use the toilet and before they eat. They should also keep their children’s toys clean and restrict them from putting any toys or other tools into their mouth, the ministry said.

On May 25, the ministry will organize an online meeting with local health authorities to discuss new measures to combat the disease that has now reached its peak.

Besides Vietnam, many other countries in the region, especially China and Singapore, have also had high numbers of HFMD patients in the first 5 months of this year, the ministry said, citing a World Health Organization report.

Phu Yen fines China firm

The central Phu Yen Province People's Committee recently fined Son Giang Metallurgy Company from China VND100 million (US$4,800) for violating environmental regulations.

According to the local authority, the company illegally dug two reservoirs in the area with a total volume of 1230 cubic metres.

One is used for cleaning iron ore while the other is used for mud containment, both doing much harm to the environment and the lives of locals.

Accordingly, authorities have ordered the company to rehabilitate the area within 10 days.

Last year, the company was fined VND143 million (US$6,800) for illegal mining in a restricted area.

For a society without violence and abuse against children

An action month for children will be launched on May 29 to call for joint efforts to create a safe and healthy environment free of violence, abuse, and exploitation of children, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

This event is of great significance as the ill-treatment, abuse, and trafficking of children are getting increasingly serious, said Nguyen Hai Huu, Head of the Department for Child Care and Protection under MoLISA.

During the action month, MoLISA will coordinate with international organizations such as PLAN, World Vision, Svi, and Childfund to gather children’s opinions on revising the 2004 Law on Child protection, Care and Education.

There will be different activities, including presenting gifts to disadvantaged children, giving medical treatment to poor children, and inaugurating projects for children.

Poor students get scholarships, books

More than 4,000 poor students in Ha Noi, HCM City and Hai Phong Province were provided with scholarships, books and learning aids worth a total of US$110,000 from the Parkson Education Care Fund.

Run by the Parkson Viet Nam retail group, the fund gave the support on the occasion of the Action Month for Children.
Earlier this week, the National Fund for Vietnamese Children signed a $150,000 agreement with energy company Chevron to upgrade five schools and provide 800 scholarships to students in the Mekong (Cuu Long) Delta.

 Students benefit from ANZ’s MoneyMinded program

ANZ Vietnam on May 23 launched a community program on financial literacy education to help Vietnamese students gain better financial skills.

MoneyMinded Vietnam 2012 will be carried out in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from late May to the end of July 2012. FPT students are beneficiaries of the non-profit program.

The program will use real life situations for its lessons, such as making money last until payday, saving stories and planning for the future.

Tareq Muhmood, CEO of ANZ Vietnam, said, “ANZ introduces the MoneyMinded program in Vietnam because we want to help the local community, especially the young, make a long term difference for their financial wellbeing.”

“I’m confident that the partnership between ANZ and FPT will be successfully kicked-off, and from here we will be able to move forward to expand it to the wider community and make a greater impact in the coming years,” Muhmood said.

The MoneyMinded program has been successfully launched in many countries including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Hong Kong. This year, it is expected to expand to Indonesia, India, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

Fre starts at Customs Department building

The 18-storey building of the General Department of Customs in Cau Giay District caught fire yesterday afternoon, reportedly trapping hundreds of staff before being brought under control without injury.

Some witnesses said the fire was caused by welders in the basement, however it is still being investigated.
A local newswire reported that staff in the building managed to open windows and reach balconies and the terrace calling for help.

The fire drew dozens of firefighters and fire trucks.

The Customs Department moved into the building on Monday.

VNN/VOV//VNS/Tuoi Tre