The measles outbreak has been brought under control in Nghe An.

(Baonghean)According to Dr. Phan Van Tu, Director of Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, the number of measles patients admitted to the hospital has gradually decreased. From February until now, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital has admitted over 300 measles patients, including 3 deaths. However, all 3 cases were related to other conditions such as congenital heart disease, malnutrition, and bronchial asthma.

Currently, the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital has all the necessary equipment, supplies, and medications to treat and control measles. Therefore, measles patients do not need to be transferred to higher-level hospitals but can be treated locally, including at commune health stations and district health centers, except in cases of very severe cases or patients with multiple other illnesses. Most patients admitted for treatment recover and are discharged after one week. Currently, there are 16 severely ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit, some of whom require oxygen. A week ago, 5 patients required mechanical ventilation, but they have since recovered.

Investigations reveal that over 50% of measles patients have either not been vaccinated or have not received the full dose. Therefore, measles vaccination for children is extremely important, and parents are urged to ensure their children receive the full dose of measles vaccine on time. Treatment for measles has also changed; the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital has adopted protocols from central-level hospitals, using some newer, better, and more expensive medications. For example, immunoglobulin, which boosts children's immunity, costs nearly 4 million VND per vial, but most patients admitted here receive this medication. Most patients have insurance, so they don't have to worry too much about the cost. Recently, the province allocated 4.5 billion VND to the provincial health sector to invest in additional equipment and medicines to control the outbreak, so families don't need to worry about taking their children to higher-level hospitals for treatment, which would overload them and cause unnecessary expense.

Sy Minh