At a meeting with medical workers on the occasion of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday on February 9, the PM stressed that the health sector has made direct and very important contribution to the country’s socio-economic achievements in 2020, as part of concerted efforts by the entire political system and people.
The sector has taken drastic actions and coordinated closely with other sectors and agencies during the epidemic combat, he added.
The leader extended thanks and appreciation of the hard work and the sacrifice of all medical workers, especially those who are working in pandemic-hit areas, as well as their families.
The pandemic would develop more complicatedly in 2021 with new variants, he said, calling on the sector to mobilise all resources to contain the epidemic and treat patients.
He stressed the need to provide sufficient equipment and supplies for medical workers to ensure their safety at the highest level and prevent transmission to medical workers and their family members.
The health sector must stay ready for any circumstances, and put in place plans for timely supporting localities, building COVID-19 treatment hospitals, and readying medical supplies in case the pandemic spreads on a larger scale, he said.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at a meeting with medical workers on February 9. (Photo: VNA)
He required agencies and localities to take practical measures to care for frontline medical workers, especially during the Tet holiday.
The government leader informed that he had signed a decision on allowances for medical workers and others who are engaged in pandemic prevention and control work.
On the occasion, PM Phuc talked online with local officials and medical workers in several pandemic-affected localities and hospitals, giving encouragement and wishing them a happy new year.
At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son spoke from Ho Chi Minh City that the ministry on February 8 established a special permanent team for the COVID-19 combat in Ho Chi Minh City in order to mobilise all resources for contact tracing in the city.
From Hai Duong province, Professor Tran Nhu Duong, head of the COVID-19 prevention and control group under the health ministry in Chi Linh town, said as from January 27, Hai Duong has traced 12,000 F1 cases, and collected samples of 75,000 people for testing.
The ministry has also sent many experts and officials, as well as equipment to the locality since the pandemic broke out there, he said.
