Decision No. 51/2008/QD-BYT stipulates the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Department of Science and Training under the Ministry of Health.

Pursuant to …;

||| Regulations on functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of

The Science and Training Department under the Ministry of Health

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

Pursuant to Decree No. 178/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 3, 2007 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of Ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Pursuant to Decree No. 188/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 27, 2007 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

Considering the proposal of the Organization and Cadres Affairs Department Director and the Science and Training Department Director, Ministry of Health.

DECISION:

Article 1. Position and Functions

The Science and Training Department is a comprehensive department under the Ministry of Health, having the function of advising the Minister of Health on state management of scientific work, technological development in the health sector, and training and upgrading human resources in the health sector throughout the country.

Article 2. Tasks and Authorities

1. Scientific work and technological development in the health sector

a) Serve as the focal point for drafting and submitting to competent authorities for promulgation legal documents governing the management of scientific activities and technological development in the health sector, regulations on appraisal, evaluation, acceptance, application of research results, technology transfer, clinical drug trials, medical equipment testing, and ethical conduct in biomedical research;

b) Draft and implement plans for scientific and technological development in the health sector; organize the identification and selection of, and submit to competent authorities for approval, research topics, projects, and tasks at the ministry level; monitor, supervise, and organize appraisals, evaluations, acceptances, and dissemination of scientific and technological research results serving professional activities in the sector;

c) Serve as the focal point for managing activities related to standards and technical regulations in the health sector. Lead and coordinate with relevant Departments and Bureaus to develop planning and implementation plans for national standards and national technical regulations, submit them to competent authorities for approval, and organize the development of national standards and technical regulations for submission to competent authorities for publication or issuance; manage standards, measurements, and quality in the health sector; disseminate guidance and monitor the application of standards and regulations at healthcare facilities;

d) Summarize, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of plans for scientific and technological cooperation in the health sector with foreign countries; propose to the Minister adjustments or supplements to the contents and forms of scientific cooperation to suit actual conditions and implementation capabilities during the plan period;

đ) Serve as the focal point for organizing the review and approval of the first-time application in Vietnam of advanced technologies in the health sector; direct, organize reviews and approvals, guide implementation, evaluate, and accept biomedical research trials on humans;

e) Serve as the focal point for organizing and coordinating with relevant Departments, Bureaus, and units to implement the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) within the scope of the Ministry of Health's state management and participate in the system of queries regarding technical barriers in economic integration in the health sector;

g) Serve as the permanent Secretariat of the Ministry of Health’s Science and Technology Council and Bioethics Research Council; organize the activities of these councils;

h) Coordinate the implementation and organization of state policies and regulations on scientific and technological management; coordinate with relevant units to review and approve initiatives, inventions, and science and technology awards in the health sector; participate in the management of research topics, projects, and tasks at the state level;

2. Information technology

a) Serve as the focal point for state management, planning, and directing the implementation of plans for the application and development of information technology in the health sector;

b) Serve as the focal point for drafting and implementing legal documents governing the management of the application and development of information technology in the health sector; draft regulations on the conditions for medical activities on the internet and the management of medical information technology activities;

c) Draft regulations, organize appraisals, and submit to competent authorities for publication standards for information technology applicable in the health sector;

d) Serve as the permanent Secretariat of the Ministry of Health’s Information Technology Steering Committee;

đ) Serve as the focal point for unified management of the application and development of information technology activities of subordinate units under the Ministry of Health;

e) Advise the Steering Committee on the application of information technology in the management of training and upgrading of health human resources; manage scientific and technological information work, direct the implementation of the application of information technology in the management of scientific and technological work in the health sector;

3. Tasks related to training and upgrading of health human resources

a) Serve as the focal point for drafting planning and implementation plans for the development of the health human resource training system and special mechanisms and policies in training and developing human resources and talents in the health sector, submit them to competent authorities for approval;

b) Serve as the focal point for drafting national technical regulations on infrastructure, human resources, teaching equipment, and means of the health human resource training institutions including vocational training, college, university, and postgraduate levels, submit them to competent authorities for approval, and guide and organize the implementation of national technical regulations after approval;

c) Draft management documents for training content and programs in accordance with the law and direct the development of training programs and textbooks for continuous training of health human resources including postgraduate, undergraduate, college, secondary, and vocational health training levels;

d) Serve as the focal point for drafting and implementing plans for professional training and upgrading of health workers and training and upgrading teaching staff at central and local health human resource training institutions;

đ) Manage specialized postgraduate training in the health sector including specialty level 1, specialty level 2, and internal medicine residency;

e) Participate in drafting regulations and procedures for selecting health workers to study abroad as research fellows, interns, and teachers, and foreigners coming to study and research at health sector institutions; serve as the focal point for drafting regulations on training foreigners to study and research at health sector institutions in accordance with the law.

g) Serve as the professional management focal point for universities, colleges, and intermediate medical schools under the Ministry of Health; organize supervision, inspection, specialized audit, and evaluation of the quality of health workforce training activities.

4. Perform other tasks assigned by the Minister of Health.

Article 3. Organizational Structure and Operations

1. Leadership of the Department

The Director and Deputy Directors of the Department are appointed and relieved from duty by the Minister of Health. The Director is responsible to the Minister of Health for all activities of the Department. The Deputy Directors assist the Director and are responsible to the Director for the tasks assigned to them.

2. Quota

The staffing of the Department is determined by the Decision of the Minister of Health and is adjusted annually based on work needs and the proposal of the Director.

3. Operation Mechanism

The Science and Training Department operates under a specialist system. Civil servants in the Department are responsible to the Department's leadership for the tasks assigned to them.

Article 4. Effective date

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

Article 5. Responsibilities for Implementation

The Heads of the Ministry’s Office, Inspectorate, Department Directors, Bureau Chiefs, General Department Directors under the Ministry of Health, and Heads of agencies, units, and individuals concerned are responsible for implementing this Decision./.