Circular No. 26/2017/TT-BYT guiding the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial Center for Disease Control under centrally governed cities and provinces.

CIRCULAR

GUIDELINES ON THE FUNCTIONS, TASKS, POWERS AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF PROVINCE AND CITY DIRECTLY UNDER THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EPIDEMIOLOGY INSTITUTES

Pursuant to Decree No. 75/2017/NĐ-CP dated June 20, 2017 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

Pursuant to Decree No. 24/2014/NĐ-CP dated April 4, 2014 of the Government stipulating the organization of specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees and municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government;

At the proposal of the Department of PersonnelDepartment of Organization and Cadres - Ministry of Health;

issues this Circular detailing the activities and work relationships of Medical Expert Boards at all levels.The Minister of Health issues this Circular guiding the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of Province and City Directly Under the Central Government Epidemic Institutes.ticsies directly under the Central Government.

Chapter 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular guides the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of Province and City Directly Under the Central Government Epidemic Institutes (referred to as Provincial Epidemic Institutes).

Article 2. This Circular applies to Provincial Centers for Preventive Medicine, except for Drug Testing Centers, Forensic Medicine Centers, Medical Appraisal Centers.

Article 2. Legal Status

Clause 1. The Provincial Epidemic Institute is a public health institution under the provincial Department of Health, having legal personality, office premises, seal, and separate accounts at the State Treasury and Bank in accordance with the law.

Clause 2. The Provincial Epidemic Institute is subject to direct and comprehensive professional, technical, operational, organizational, human resource, activity, financial, and physical asset management by the provincial Department of Health; it is also subject to professional, technical, and operational guidance, inspection, and audit by the Ministry of Health.

Chapter II

FUNCTIONS, TASKS, POWERS

Article 3. Functions

The Provincial Epidemic Institute has the function of advising and organizing the implementation of professional activities related to disease prevention and control, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, preventing the impact of risk factors on health, community health management, early detection, preventive treatment, and other appropriate healthcare services in accordance with the law within its province.

Article 4. Tasks and Powers

Point 1. Implementing professional activities, directing, guiding, managing, inspecting, and supervising the prevention and control of epidemics, infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS, parasitic diseases, insect-borne diseases, foodborne diseases, zoonotic diseases, emerging diseases; monitoring trends, forecasting epidemic situations; responding to emergencies and public health events; managing and using vaccines, medical supplies, immunization.

Point 2. Implementing professional activities, directing, guiding, managing, inspecting, and supervising the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, mental disorders, and other non-communicable diseases), metabolic disorders, occupational diseases; school health, school-related illnesses and disabilities; risk factor impacts and pre-disease conditions; screening, managing non-communicable diseases in the community.

Point 3. Implementing professional activities, directing, guiding, managing, inspecting, and supervising the prevention and control of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies; therapeutic nutrition, nutritional interventions for non-communicable diseases; improving maternal, child nutrition, and community nutrition; coordinating to enhance the stature and physical condition of Vietnamese people.

Point 4. Implementing professional activities, directing, guiding, managing, inspecting, and supervising the prevention and control of environmental factors, climate change impacts on community health; protecting the environment for healthcare facilities, workplace hygiene conditions, school hygiene conditions; drinking water quality; household latrine sanitation; participating in disaster relief and accident response activities; coordinating to guide hygiene in funeral and cremation activities.

Point 5. Implementing quarantine activities; collecting information, monitoring, inspecting, and processing health certificates for quarantine subjects; using English seals for border health quarantine operations according to assigned levels and legal provisions.

Point 6. Implementing professional activities, directing, guiding, managing, inspecting, and supervising reproductive health tasks; women's and maternal health care; newborn and child health; adolescent, youth, male, and elderly reproductive health; family planning services; safe abortion within approved technical scope; preventing and controlling reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases.

Point 7. Implementing professional activities, directing, guiding, managing, inspecting, and supervising community health management, elderly health, worker health; implementing household health management activities according to assigned levels.

Point 8. Cooperating to implement food poisoning prevention activities; participating in the assessment of food production and business establishments; participating in inspections and checks of food production and business establishments, catering services to ensure food safety according to the law and performing other food safety tasks according to assigned levels and legal provisions.

Point 9. Conducting screening, diagnosing, and preventive treatment as prescribed; providing preventive and curative advice for infertility; treating drug addiction as prescribed by law; emergency care, transferring patients, and performing specialized techniques; conducting regular health check-ups and issuing health certificates according to authorized regulations and laws; signing contracts with social insurance agencies to organize appropriate healthcare services according to the law.

Point 10. Conducting food safety testing; performing diagnostic imaging and functional tests for professional activities according to the Center's functions and tasks; implementing biosafety measures in laboratories according to the law.

11. Implement specialized activities, direct, guide, manage, inspect, supervise risk communication, behavior change communication that benefits health, mobilization and health promotion; develop communication materials; provide information and coordinate with relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals in promoting the Party's and State's policies on healthcare work.

12. Receive, use, supply, store, distribute, and direct, inspect, supervise the use of medicines, vaccines, medical products, chemicals, equipment, supplies, and means serving specialized activities; chemicals and insecticides, bactericides used in household and healthcare fields according to the division of responsibilities and levels of the Department of Health and as prescribed by law.

13. Serve as the standing unit of the Department of Health for responding to emergencies related to epidemics, diseases, public health events, AIDS prevention and control, drug abuse and prostitution; implement domestic projects and international cooperation programs related to healthcare according to the division of responsibilities and levels of the Department of Health and as prescribed by law.

14. Organize training, continuous education for staff under its management as prescribed; conduct training, update professional knowledge for staff in charge of areas assigned by the Department of Health; continuously update medical knowledge for practitioners; serve as a practical base for health training as prescribed by law.

15. Conduct and participate in scientific research, apply advancements in science, technology, and information technology in specialized fields; implement supervisory tasks, provide technical guidance in areas assigned by the Department of Health according to the division of responsibilities and levels.

16. Implement statistical systems and reporting as prescribed by law.

17. Manage human resources, finance, assets according to the division of responsibilities and levels and as prescribed by law.

18. Perform other tasks and exercise other powers delegated by the Director of the Department of Health and as prescribed by law.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, NUMBER OF STAFF, AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Article 5. Leadership

1. The Provincial Center for Disease Control has a director and not more than three deputy directors.

2. The appointment, dismissal, transfer, rotation, commendation, disciplinary action, resignation, retirement, and implementation of policies for the director and deputy directors of the Provincial Center for Disease Control shall be carried out in accordance with the law and the level of authority delegated by the provincial People's Committee.

Article 6. Functional Departments

1. Organization and Administration Department.

2. Planning and Operations Department.

3. Finance and Accounting Department.

Article 7. Specialized Departments

1. Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Department.

2. HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department.

3. Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Department.

4. Nutrition Department.

5. Environmental Health - School Health - Occupational Health Department; at locations with industrial zones and where there is a need, an independent Occupational Health Department may be established.

6. Reproductive Health Department.

7. Communication and Health Education Department.

8. Parasitology and Entomology Department.

9. International Health Inspection Department (where there is border health inspection activity).

10. Pharmacy - Medical Supplies Department. 11. Laboratory - Diagnostic Imaging - Functional Testing Department.

12. Outpatient Clinic (implemented when conditions meet legal requirements for medical examination and treatment and approved by competent authorities).

Based on the nature, characteristics, needs, and capabilities of each locality, the Director of the Department of Health decides within their authority or submits to the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee for decision regarding the establishment, division, integration of departments and sections as guided by Articles 6 and 7 of this Circular; specify the specific duties of departments and sections in accordance with this Circular to ensure the provision of specialized services, techniques, and operations suitable to actual needs and as prescribed by law.

Article 8. Number of Staff

1. The number of staff of the Provincial Center for Disease Control shall be determined based on job positions according to the functions, tasks, and scope of operation of the Center and its departments as stipulated in Articles 5, 6, and 7 of this Circular, within the total number of staff of public service units under the provincial Department of Health assigned or approved by the competent authority.

2. Based on the functions, tasks, organizational structure, and list of job positions approved by the competent authority, the Provincial Center for Disease Control shall annually develop plans to adjust the number of staff according to workload, report to the Department of Health for submission to the competent authority for consideration and decision in accordance with the law to ensure the fulfillment of assigned tasks.

Article 9. Financial Sources

1. Revenue from public service activities.

2. Fees retained for expenditure as prescribed by laws on fees and charges.

3. State budget funds support the non-infrastructure costs included in the price and service fees of public services.

4. Other revenues as prescribed by law (if any).

5. The state budget allocates funds to implement non-recurring tasks (if any), including: funds for scientific and technological tasks; funds for national target programs; other programs, projects, and proposals; matching funds for projects decided by the competent authority; development capital; funds for purchasing equipment and facilities for public service activities according to approved projects; funds for urgent tasks assigned by authorized agencies.

6. Grants and donations in accordance with the law.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 10. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from August 10, 2017.

2. For localities establishing Provincial Centers for Disease Control according to the roadmap, the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Center shall be implemented in accordance with this Circular and not implement the following regulatory legal documents:

a) Circular No. 51/2014/TT-BYT dated December 29, 2014, issued by the Minister of Health, detailing the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial Preventive Medical Center under centrally-administered cities and provinces;

b) Circular No. 02/2015/TT-BYT dated March 4, 2015, issued by the Minister of Health, detailing the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Center under centrally-administered cities and provinces;

c) Circular No. 59/2015/TT-BYT dated December 31, 2015, issued by the Minister of Health, detailing the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial Reproductive Health Care Center under centrally-administered cities and provinces;

d) Decision No. 14/2007/QĐ-BYT dated January 30, 2007, issued by the Minister of Health, detailing the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial International Health Quarantine Center under centrally-administered cities and provinces;

d) Decision No. 15/2007/QĐ-BYT dated January 30, 2007, issued by the Minister of Health, detailing the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial Occupational Health and Environmental Protection Center under centrally-administered cities and provinces;

e) Decision No. 38/2006/QĐ-BYT dated December 7, 2006, issued by the Minister of Health, detailing the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial Social Disease Prevention and Control Center under centrally-administered cities and provinces;

g) Decision No. 37/2006/QĐ-BYT dated December 7, 2006, issued by the Minister of Health, detailing the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial Malaria - Parasitic Diseases - Insects Prevention and Control Center under centrally-administered cities and provinces;

h) Decision No. 02/2006/QĐ-BYT dated January 16, 2006, issued by the Minister of Health, detailing the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial Endocrine Center under centrally-administered cities and provinces;

i) Decision No. 911/1999/QĐ-BYT dated March 31, 1999, issued by the Minister of Health, detailing the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial Health Communication and Education Center under centrally-administered cities and provinces.

3. For localities currently in the process of establishing Provincial Centers for Disease Control, the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structures of centers that have not yet been merged shall continue to be implemented according to the provisions of the legal documents specified in Clause 2 of this Article until the establishment of the Provincial Center for Disease Control is completed.

4. Abolish the legal documents specified in Clause 2 of this Article when all centrally-administered cities and provinces complete the establishment of Provincial Centers for Disease Control.

Article 11. Transitional Provisions

Implementation policies for leadership management positions, civil servants, and employees working at provincial-level health centers after restructuring and consolidation according to the guidelines of this Circular shall be decided by the provincial People's Committee within their jurisdiction and in accordance with the law.

Article 12. Responsibility for Implementation

1. Provincial People's Committees and People's Committees of centrally governed cities shall be responsible for:

a) Direct the Department of Health to implement organizational restructuring according to the guidelines of this Circular at the locality according to the roadmap, in line with actual conditions, in accordance with the planning for the development of the Vietnamese healthcare system, and complete the model before January 1, 2021;

b) Ensure investment in infrastructure, means of transportation, equipment, funding, and human resources of the Provincial Center for Disease Control to meet the requirements for implementing specialized, technical, and operational activities according to the guidelines of this Circular and practical needs at the locality.

2. Departments of Health of provinces and centrally governed cities shall be responsible for:

a) Take the lead and coordinate with the Department of Home Affairs to submit to the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee for the establishment of the Provincial Center for Disease Control according to the roadmap, plan, and actual conditions at the locality, in accordance with the law;

b) Based on the guidelines of this Circular and the regulations of the provincial People's Committee (if any), specify the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Provincial Center for Disease Control;

c) Based on the guidelines of this Circular and the regulations of the provincial People's Committee (if any), adjust the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of related public health service units to ensure the full implementation of tasks to protect, care for, and improve people's health as prescribed.

During the implementation process, if any issues arise, difficulties, or obstacles, agencies, organizations, and individuals shall promptly report them to the Ministry of Health for examination and resolution within their authority.