The World Health Organisation (WHO) should continue taking the lead in mobilizing and coordinating efforts to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic globally, a senior Vietnamese health official said at the G20 Health Ministers Meeting on April 19.

Deputy Minister of Health Truong Quoc Cuong attends the G20
Health Ministers Meeting from the ministry's headquarters in Hanoi

Addressing the online meeting, Deputy Minister of Health Truong Quoc Cuong noted that in the context of the pandemic evolving in a complex manner, the WHO must be the pioneer in developing vaccine and treatment drugs, and providing medical supplies and equipment. 

Vietnam supports the development of an appropriate coordination mechanism to ensure equitable and affordable access to new products for all countries and populations, he said. 

He proposed strengthening preparedness and International Health Regulations (IHR) capacities, including surveillance and risk assessment, laboratories, infection prevention and control and clinical management, and risk communication. especially for countries with a weaker health system, enabling them to deal with the disease.

Cuong also called for further strengthening dialogue and cooperation mechanisms in response to COVID-19 and addressing common challenges for peace and stability in the region and in the world.

It is necessary for countries to share experience and support each other in epidemic prevention and control, as well as to provide timely assistance for the overseas community to help them stabilize their lives amid the pandemic, he stressed. 

Sharing Vietnam’s experience, Deputy Minister Cuong said the country has applied four strategies, namely prevention, early detection, isolation and treatment in combating the disease. It has focused on isolating infected people and tracking down their second and third hand contacts. 

In addition, Vietnam has implemented early measures to prevent the transmission from abroad while identifying and controlling effectively the transmission within the country. Measures have been taken to manage, control and limit the spread of the disease, including early isolation for suspected cases, mass testing for those coming from affected areas and epicenters, and social distancing. 

The government has introduced incentives to mitigate the impact of the disease, including tax breaks, tax payment delays and deferment of land use fees for businesses. It has also offered many policies to support businesses, investors, small traders, and the people, especially those most vulnerable to the disease. 

Thanks to the combined measures, Vietnam has recorded a low infection rate, with no deaths reported so far. The people have supported the government’s drastic measures, helping to bring the disease under control.  

Within its capacity, he stressed Vietnam has shared information and experience and provided medical supplies and equipment to other countries. As the current Chair of ASEAN, Vietnam has also hosted a number of conferences and put forwards initiatives to garner regional and international support for the battle against the disease.