Directive No. 04/2007/CT-BYT on the implementation of Resolution No. 32/2007/NQ-CP dated June 29, 2007 of the Government on urgent measures to curb traffic accidents and traffic congestion.

DIRECTIVE

Regarding the implementation of Resolution No. 32/2007/NQ-CP dated June 29, 2007 of the Government on

urgent measures to curb traffic accidents and traffic congestion

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Traffic accidents are currently causing significant losses in terms of human lives and state and people's property, posing a serious issue that has caused public concern. In the past ten years, the number of traffic accidents has increased fourfold compared to the previous decade, with road traffic accidents accounting for 97%. The mortality rate from traffic accidents recorded at hospitals accounts for 56% of total deaths due to injuries. Over 79% of cases are due to non-use of helmets and other safety equipment when participating in traffic. Approximately 6% of injuries are related to alcohol consumption. On average, about 30 people die and 70 become disabled each day in Vietnam due to traffic accidents. Traffic accidents cause approximately $885 million in losses annually, with most fatalities and disabilities occurring among those of working age, not to mention the substantial resources allocated by the healthcare sector for rescue and rehabilitation of victims.

In light of this situation, the Government issued Resolution No. 32/2007/NQ-CP dated June 29, 2007 on urgent measures to curb traffic accidents and traffic congestion. To implement the Resolution, the Minister of Health instructs the leaders of units under the Ministry, Directors of Provincial Health Departments, Heads of units directly under the Ministry, Heads of units within the health sector, and health leaders of ministries/departments to focus on implementing the following tasks:

1. Department of Treatment shall be responsible for:

a) Taking the lead and coordinating with relevant agencies to develop and submit to the Minister for issuance the following documents:

- Health standards for motor vehicle drivers, emphasizing indicators ensuring safety when participating in traffic (amended and supplemented);

- Mechanism for conducting surprise health checks and regular health examinations for motor vehicle drivers;

- Regulations on establishing traffic accident emergency stations on national highways;

- Standards regarding equipment, knowledge, and skills of medical personnel in providing essential trauma care.

b) Directing provincial health departments to establish networks of emergency stations and hospitals to promptly treat victims of traffic accidents on key national highways.

2. National Center for Preventive Medicine shall be responsible for:

- Coordinating with ministries/sectors to update relevant information to develop appropriate plans and solutions;

- Strengthening international cooperation and mobilizing funds from various sources for traffic accident prevention work under the Ministry of Health's jurisdiction;

- Directing the promotion of safe community building campaigns in provinces/cities, focusing on traffic accident prevention awareness campaigns;

- Statistics and reporting on injury situations at healthcare facilities according to regulations, focusing on improving the quality of recording and reporting statistics on traffic accident cases and fatalities.

3. Department of Planning and Finance shall be responsible for structuring activities and funding for the health sector's traffic accident reduction activities within the sector's budget; coordinating with the National Center for Preventive Medicine in exchanging, verifying, and providing data on injuries and traffic accidents.

4. Units directly under the Ministry, provincial health departments, and health departments of ministries/sectors shall be responsible for:

- Promoting Resolution No. 32/2007/NQ-CP dated June 29, 2007 of the Prime Minister on urgent measures to curb traffic accidents. Creating conditions for staff, civil servants, and employees in the unit to study, promote, and voluntarily comply with traffic laws and regulations, as well as promoting such laws in the community;

- Cooperating with trade unions and youth organizations at facilities to launch campaigns encouraging 100% of health sector staff to commit to wearing helmets when riding motorcycles or motorbikes on all roads starting from November 2007; committing to not consume alcohol or addictive substances while driving motor vehicles. Supplementing the institution's regulations to not consider commendations or rewards for individuals violating traffic safety regulations to the extent of being penalized;

- Mapping out the emergency traffic accident network in the province: specifying the areas of responsibility for each healthcare facility along national highways for traffic accident emergency response;

- Reviewing the planning and current status of the 115 emergency transport centers to supplement stations, posts, and equipment for the 115 emergency transport centers and healthcare facilities on key national highways and areas with high traffic accident risks;

- Organizing regular health check-ups in offices, factories, enterprises, and schools, incorporating health check standards for operating motor vehicles;

- Organizing inspections of compliance with health examination requirements for recruitment, regular health checks, and surprise health checks for motor vehicle drivers and units assigned to perform these tasks;

- Organizing training sessions to disseminate knowledge and skills for initial first aid and emergency response to traffic accidents for cooperative teams at emergency posts and individuals involved in rescue and accident resolution;

- When requested, cooperating with the police to conduct blood alcohol concentration tests and drug testing for individuals operating motor vehicles.

The Health Communication and Education Center shall develop a regular program to disseminate traffic law regulations for health sector staff and the community. Integrating promotional activities into healthy village/community construction movements and safe community building movements against injuries.

This directive shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Upon receipt of this Directive, the Heads of Departments and Bureaus under the Ministry, Directors of Health Services of provinces and centrally governed cities, Heads of units directly under the Ministry, and Health sectors of other Ministries/departments shall strictly organize its implementation. The Preventive Medicine Department is assigned to monitor, inspect, and supervise the implementation of the contents of this Directive and compile reports on the results for the leadership of the Ministry of Health./.