Hospitals and medical systems face critical supply shortages

The care and treatment of COVID-19 patients are facing a huge challenge as hospitals are severely lacking in equipment for treatment, even a mask.

According to a recent survey conducted by health officials, nearly 30 health institutions in Ho Chi Minh City admitting COVID-19 patients are reported to be in a condition of "critical  deprivation." So far, the majority of public-sector hospitals have switched to receive and treat COVID-19 patients. All medical equipment was deployed to the maximum extent, yet still,  insufficient to fulfil the needs.

Specifically, the District 7 Medical Center is in dire need of assistance with blood pressure monitors, mercury thermometers, small-sized oxygen tanks, while the Binh Chanh COVID-19 Hospital is in need of essential facilities like electric disinfectants (plug-in charge type), slippers for on-duty doctors and nurses, and thousands of protective suits and masks, etc. These are just a few examples of medical equipment deficiency.

Hospitals’ shortage of equipment for treatment poses difficulties to efforts to control the pandemic

According to Dr Tran Van Khanh, Director of the No.3 Field Hospital for COVID-19 treatment, medical personnel can be trained and mobilized, but the shortage of necessary equipment is extremely difficult to manage. Ventilators, in particular, are significant in treatment but scanty in quantities.

“The supporters can only manually use the oxygen balloon to assist the patient's breathing. However, without prompt respiratory assistance equipment, the risk of mortality develops dramatically," said Dr Khanh.

The situation has clearly presented the urgency of supporting hospitals with innovative ideas and contributions about medical supplies to timely save lives.                    

Mr Hoang Tuan Anh, the father of "Rice ATM", has continued his journey of helping out people in need through the idea of developing an oxygen ATM system for home-isolated F0 patients that are extremely useful in saving many people's lives. Starting from 90 oxygen tanks deployed at stations in the district, Mr. Tuan Anh has so far coordinated with unions, business associations, etc., to supply thousands of at-home oxygen cylinders for patients.    

Not only do individuals contribute to the fight, but so do businesses. Evidently, businesses and organizations have contributed to many programs of charity for patients, doctors, and frontline troops in the battle against the pandemic.

Enterprises have joined hands in the fight against COVID-19. Image: Ambulance given to District 11 Hospital, HCMC by TCPVN

TCPVN, the first international office of leading Thai conglomerate TCP Group (T.C. Pharma) in Vietnam, the owner of popular Red Bull and Warrior energy drinks brands, has contributed more than 2 billion VND in cash and products to research and manufacturing activities, joining hands to support the frontline fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic. In which, 1 billion VND is going to be delivered to Vietnam Young Doctors Association - belonging to Ministry of Health; 1 ambulance equivalent to more than 810 million VND is going to be handed over to District 11 Hospital in coordination with Ho Chi Minh City Health Department, via Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee.

Previously, in 2020, this company donated more than three billion VND in cash and 8.683 boxes of products (with a total value of more than five billion VND) to epidemic prevention programs of central and local agencies and organizations.

Warrior - a brand of TCPVN - has contributed 6,000 boxes of energy drinks to the COVID-19 frontline forces in HCMC along with 18 southern provinces and cities. Amid the outbreak in Bac Giang and Bac Ninh, the brand also sponsored 200 million VND and 600 boxes of products.

The above organizations are typical examples among many businesses that have always accompanied patients in the fight against COVID-19. The wave of COVID-19 puts great pressure on the Vietnamese health system; the actions of businesses are therefore extremely significant.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Tu, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Young Physicians Association, declared that the business's cooperation has facilitated prompt distributions of oxygen cylinders and medical supplies to frontline facilities to preserve lives for patients.

In response, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Huan, Country Director of TCPVN, shared that the health and safety of the community are always a priority. "We hope our efforts will aid the Government in supporting people to overcome difficulties," Mr. Huan shared.

Source: Vietnam Business Forum