Directive No. 02/2007/CT-BYT on the implementation of flood and storm prevention and rescue work in 2007

DIRECTIVE

On the implementation of flood and storm prevention and rescue work in 2007

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Pursuant to Directive No. 08/2007/CT-TTg dated April 3, 2007 of the Prime Minister on strengthening flood and storm prevention and rescue work and reducing losses caused by natural disasters in 2007 and the situation of disasters and natural calamities in 2006, the Minister of Health issues the following directive to the Directors of Health Departments of provinces and centrally governed cities, and Heads of units under the Ministry to promptly carry out the following tasks:

1. Summarize and evaluate health work in flood and storm prevention and rescue in 2006, draw lessons from strengths and weaknesses in organizing emergency care for injured and affected people and mitigating the consequences of natural disasters. Strengthen the Flood and Storm Prevention and Rescue Command of the health sector in provinces and centrally governed cities, and units under the Ministry according to the principle of being compact, efficient, and effective; Coordinate with relevant agencies at localities to enhance health education and communication, particularly focusing on environmental sanitation, disease prevention, and community safety during the rainy season, organize inspections and supervision of food safety and clean water supply in key areas. Prepare a stockpile of medicines and chemicals based on the health conditions and diseases in communities that may be affected by natural disasters and catastrophes.

2Develop plans for the health sector to respond to potential natural disasters and catastrophes at localities and units, review, adjust, and supplement evacuation and relocation plans for medical facilities when flooding or collapse occurs to quickly implement reception and emergency treatment of victims in all situations. Ensure the absolute safety of medical facilities, preventing patients and healthcare workers from dying due to floods and storms; prevent damage and loss of medicines, chemicals, and medical equipment due to rain and floods. Closely cooperate with local military authorities to effectively combine military and civilian medical efforts in disaster prevention, response, and aftermath mitigation.

Implement the "Four-in-place" principle, which includes: On-site Command: having command personnel coordinate search and rescue forces and transport victims immediately at the site of natural disasters and catastrophes; On-site Forces: having medical staff always ready for first aid and emergency care of victims and guiding environmental sanitation and disease prevention; On-site Means: having sufficient medicines, equipment, and transportation means to meet professional requirements; On-site Logistics: reserving enough fuel for vehicles, boats, and generators when there is no electricity; reserving food and other living supplies for patients during storms and floods.

3. Hospitals and treatment facilities at the district level and above should organize mobile emergency teams with full medical professionals, medicines, medical equipment, and transportation means, standing by to perform their duties during the rainy season (from May 1 to November 30); Health Departments of provinces within flood-prone areas must develop specific plans for the relocation and safety assurance of medical facilities in flooded areas; arrange emergency stations closely with temporary evacuation areas with full medical staff, medicines, and emergency equipment, promptly implementing environmental sanitation and disease prevention measures; Coastal provinces should have plans to deal with large storms and floods; northern and central mountainous provinces should have plans to proactively deal with flash floods; southern provinces should prepare for high water levels of the Mekong River, ensuring the safety of medical facilities, providing timely emergency care to victims, and doing well in sanitation and disease prevention before and after storms and floods.

4Health Departments of provinces and centrally governed cities must prepare stocks of medicines for storm and flood prevention, anti-disease medicines and chemicals, reserve food and other relief supplies for hospitals to operate for at least one week from local funds, plan and guide the distribution and use of these supplies for the community in key areas; Units under the Ministry stand ready to support affected areas according to their professional fields; Central hospitals, universities of medicine and pharmacy should organize volunteer teams during the rainy season, ready to support areas upon mobilization orders from the Ministry with full transportation means, medical professionals, anti-disease chemicals, and medicines; They must prepare sufficient funds, food, and other supplies for mobility without adding difficulties to disaster-stricken areas; The Pharmaceutical Corporation and Medical Equipment Corporation should instruct subordinate units to prepare life jackets, emergency medicine stocks, medical equipment, and anti-disease chemicals ready to support areas upon orders from the Ministry; Departments and Bureaus under the Ministry of Health should prepare funds, medicines, medical tools, anti-disease chemicals, and professional personnel ready to support areas affected by natural disasters and catastrophes upon mobilization orders from the Ministry.

5When natural disasters and catastrophes occur, localities and units must report quickly to the Ministry of Health's Disaster Prevention and Rescue Command within 24 hours and update daily. For now, require all Departments and units under the Ministry to report the names, addresses (phone numbers, fax, email) of responsible personnel for receiving and providing information during disasters to the Ministry of Health by May 20, 2007. All preparations for responding to natural disasters and catastrophes must be completed by May 30; the Standing Committee of the Ministry of Health's Disaster Prevention and Rescue Command will develop inspection plans for local and unit preparations and report results to the Ministry leadership.

6This directive takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Upon receipt of this directive, Health Departments of localities and units under the Ministry must promptly implement it. The Ministry of Health's Disaster Prevention and Rescue Command is responsible for urging and inspecting the implementation of this directive and reporting to the Ministry of Health leadership.