Implement measures to prevent and control hand, foot and mouth disease

(Baonghean) - Pursuant to Official Dispatch No. 4160/BYT-DP dated June 30, 2014 of the Ministry of Health on the implementation of measures to prevent and control hand, foot and mouth disease, dated July 11, 2014, in Official Dispatch No. 4864/UBND-VX, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dinh Thi Le Thanh gave the following instructions:

1. Department of Health:

- Preside over and coordinate with relevant sectors, units, People's Committees of districts, cities and towns to assess and analyze the situation and causes of the increase and outbreak of epidemics, deploy effective disease prevention measures to prevent the increase and outbreak of epidemics in the province.

- Strengthen surveillance activities, early detection of outbreaks, and thorough handling to prevent the disease from spreading widely; organize emergency admissions and timely treatment of patients, minimize deaths and avoid cross-infection in hospital facilities; implement treatment routes at hospitals, limit the transfer of patients within treatment capacity to reduce overload at upper-level hospitals; at the same time, promptly advise the Provincial People's Committee on effective and appropriate epidemic prevention and control measures in accordance with the epidemic situation in the province.

- Advise the Provincial People's Committee to establish interdisciplinary inspection teams (if necessary) to inspect, support localities and have timely and appropriate direction measures in disease prevention work.

2. Department of Information and Communications, Nghe An Newspaper, Provincial Radio and Television Station: Strengthen appropriate health education and communication activities to the people on measures to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease, actively implement patriotic hygiene activities to improve people's health; practice good environmental hygiene, regularly wash hands with soap, practice clean eating, clean living and keep children's toys clean; ensure hygienic eating and drinking; prioritize broadcasting and delivering messages and recommendations on preventing hand, foot and mouth disease.

3. Department of Education and Training: Strongly implement activities to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease in educational institutions, especially in nurseries and kindergartens; require educational institutions to have adequate hand washing facilities with soap and convenient locations to facilitate caregivers and children to wash their hands with soap; clean classrooms, surfaces and toys daily with soap or common detergents.

4. Department of Finance: Advise on funding to ensure the need for medicine, supplies, chemicals, and equipment for disease prevention activities.

5. People's Committees of districts, cities and towns: Closely coordinate with the health sector and relevant units in disease prevention work.