Directive No. 04/2006/CT-BYT on the implementation of flood prevention and search and rescue work in 2006

DIRECTIVE

On the implementation of flood and storm prevention work and search and rescue operations in 2006

Prevention of Floods and Storms and Search and Rescue Operations in 2006

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According to the assessment of meteorological and hydrological experts, weather patterns, climate, and hydrology at the global, regional, and national levels continue to exhibit complex and unpredictable changes. At the beginning of 2006, in the Red River Delta and North Central regions, rainfall was significantly lower than the long-term average, causing water levels on the Red and Thai Binh rivers to reach their lowest point in the past 100 years. Predictions indicate that this year, the number of storms in the Northern region may be at the average level but there is a need to prepare for the possibility of strong storms and large floods; in the Central region, due to its narrow land strip and steep slopes, there is a high risk of flash floods; in the Southern region, it is forecasted that floods may occur later and at higher levels.

To implement Directive No. 13/2006/CT-TTg dated March 31, 2006 of the Prime Minister on flood and storm prevention and search and rescue operations, disaster mitigation in 2006, the Minister of Health instructs the Directors of Health Departments of provinces and centrally governed cities, and heads of units under the Ministry:

1. Summarize and evaluate the flood and storm prevention and search and rescue operations in 2005, identify strengths and weaknesses, draw lessons from experiences in disaster prevention and aftermath recovery; Review, adjust, and supplement plans, improve evacuation and relocation schemes for healthcare facilities when flooding or collapse occurs to quickly mobilize emergency care and treatment for victims in all situations. Ensure the operation and absolute safety of healthcare facilities, preventing casualties among patients and medical staff due to floods and storms; prevent damage to medicines, chemicals, and medical equipment caused by rain and floods.

2. Strengthen the Flood and Storm Prevention and Search and Rescue Command of the health sector in provinces and centrally governed cities; units under the Ministry must follow the principle of effectiveness and practicality under the direct leadership of unit heads; Understand the health status and diseases in communities in areas prone to natural disasters and catastrophes to plan purchases of medicines and chemicals for public health services, preventing disease outbreaks. Advise local authorities and coordinate with relevant agencies to monitor and rectify food safety and water supply issues for residents.

3. Develop contingency plans for potential natural disasters and catastrophes in localities and units. Hospitals and treatment centers at district level and above should organize mobile emergency teams equipped with medical professionals, medicines, medical equipment, and transportation means, ready to provide timely assistance before and after disasters. Provinces in the flood-prone northern region must develop specific plans for safely relocating healthcare facilities in flooded areas; arrange emergency stations close to temporary evacuation areas with adequate medical personnel, medicines, and emergency equipment. Implement the principle "wherever there are people, there are medical staff." Coastal provinces should prepare for typhoons and major floods; northern mountainous and central provinces should prepare for flash floods to ensure the safety of healthcare facilities and provide timely emergency care for victims. Southern provinces should prepare for high floods from the Mekong River, ensuring emergency care for victims and effectively managing disease prevention before and after floods.

4. Effectively implement the principle of "Four Localizations" in the health sector: Command Localization: having command officers coordinating with forces immediately at the site of natural disasters and catastrophes; Force Localization: having medical personnel always ready to provide emergency care, guide, and direct environmental sanitation and disease prevention; Equipment Localization: having sufficient medicines, medical equipment, and supplies to meet professional needs; Logistics Localization: stockpiling fuel for vehicles, boats, and generators during power outages; storing food and other living supplies for patients in emergency situations.

5. Focus on directing environmental sanitation work before and after natural disasters and storms. During the rainy season, mobile hygiene and epidemic prevention teams must be in a state of readiness, intensifying monitoring and early detection of epidemics to contain them promptly; if beyond capacity, report to superiors for timely support without allowing the spread of disease. Increase publicity and mobilization efforts to ensure that the public understands and properly implements sanitation practices in eating, living, and the environment, especially in evacuation areas with high population density. Effectively combine military and civilian medical efforts in post-disaster recovery.

6. Health Departments of provinces and centrally governed cities must prepare pre-stocked medicines for flood and storm prevention and epidemic control; store food and other relief supplies to ensure hospitals can operate for at least one week from local funds, with detailed allocation and usage guidance for communities in disaster-prone areas to enable timely response.

- Units under the Ministry must be ready to support affected areas according to their expertise. Central hospitals, medical universities should organize volunteer teams ready to support areas upon Ministry orders, fully equipped with transportation, medical professionals, epidemic control chemicals, and medicines. Adequate funding, food, and supplies must be prepared for immediate use in the field, not adding further burden to disaster-stricken areas.

- The Pharmaceutical Corporation and Medical Equipment Corporation must direct subordinate units to prepare: lifebuoys, first aid kits, medical equipment, epidemic control medicines and chemicals ready to respond to local needs upon Ministry orders.

- Departments and agencies under the Ministry of Health shall, in accordance with their functions and tasks, prepare funds, medicines, medical equipment, chemicals for disease prevention, and specialized staff to provide support to areas affected by natural disasters and calamities upon mobilization orders from the Ministry.

7. The preparation work to respond to natural disasters and calamities must be completed by May 30. The Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command Board of the Ministry of Health shall develop a plan to inspect localities and units and report the results to the Ministry's leadership.

8. In case of natural disasters or calamities, localities and units must promptly report to the Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command Board of the Ministry of Health on the development of the disaster, losses in terms of human lives and health facilities, actions taken to mitigate consequences, and recommendations (if any).

All reports may be submitted via telegrams, telephone, fax to the Standing Office of the Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command Board of the Ministry of Health (during working hours: 04.8443039; outside working hours and on holidays: 04.5622982 or 0988.710.046 and Fax: 04.8464051).

Upon receipt of this Directive, local health authorities and units must strictly organize and implement it immediately before the rainy season. The Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command Board of the Ministry of Health is responsible for urging and supervising the implementation of this Directive and reporting back to the Ministry of Health's leadership./.