According to the statistics of the first half of 2009 in Central Vietnam, malaria situation tended to increase in many areas. Therefore, the IMPE-Quy Nhon and the provinces in the region applied the strengthened malaria control measures to reduce morbidity rates, deaths and to prevent the outbreaks from occurring. The workshop was held to evaluate the results of malaria and parasitic diseases control activities and to set up a plan for the last half of 2009.
On July 27,2009, the workshop on evaluating the results of malaria andparasitic diseases control activities in the first half of 2009 was held at IMPE-Quy Nhon; participated in the workshop were Dr. Nguyen Van Binh- Vice-director of Bureau for preventive medicine and environment, Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung- Director of the National Institute of Malariology-Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE), Dr. Le Thanh Dong-Director of IMPE-Ho Chi Minh city, Dr.Trieu Nguyen Trung- Director of IMPE-Quy Nhon and representatives from the Institutes, Provincial malaria control centres/provincial centres for preventive medicine, the Binh Dinh Radio Television and especially, the Binh Dinh Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Corperation (Bidiphar)- the sponsor of the workshop.
 |
Participants to the Workshop. |
The workshop received report presentations on the results of malaria and parasitic diseases control activities in the first half of 2009 by directors of the Institues, on plans for malaria control in 2010 by M.Sc Vu Huy Nam- Head of General Planning Department of NIMPE together with dicussions from representatives.
Malaria control activities
According to the latest reports on malaria situation in the first half of 2009 against the same period of last year, malaria patients of the whole region increased by 6.37% (7,895/7,422), including the Central Coastal area (+4.95%), and the West Central Highland (+8.04%). Malaria parasites increased by 49.34% (0.67/0.45) compared with 2008, with the Central Coastal area +53.75% higher, and the West Highlands +42.90% up. 37 severe cases were reported (increased by 10 cases), of which the Central coastal area had 3 more cases and the West Highlands 7 more cases. There were 3 deaths from malaria in provinces of Gia Lai, Dak Nong and Ninh Thuan (increased 2 cases compared with 2008).
 |  |
Dr. Trieu nguyen Trung-Director of IMPE Quy Nhon
in his opening speech | Dr. Ho Van Hoang-Deputy Director of IMPE Quy
Nhon giving speech at the Workshop |
Compared with the same period of 2008, the morbidity rate in the first half of 2009 increased by 6.37%; and deaths from malaria raised 2 cases compared with the given target. The provinces with increased malaria patients and malaria parasite rates included Quang Tri, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, and Ninh Thuan; mainly among population movements, which were out of the control of the health sector. Therefore, the risk of malaria outbreaks in these areas are at very high.
Fascioliasis control activities
According to the statistics from some severely-hit provinces of Fascioliasis infection of Central Vietnam in the first 6 months of 2009, there were 2,500 Fascioliasiscases detected and treated, of which 1,523 were admitted at the IMPE Quy Nhon's specialist clinic, 407 in Binh Dinh, 200 in Quang Ngai, 82 in Gia Lai, 102 in Quang Nam, 72 in Phu Yen, 18 in Da Nang, 45 in Thua Thien-Hue, 42 in Khanh Hoa, 6 in Dak Lak, and 3 in Quang Tri, 45% higher against those of the last year's cases. From 2006 to now, Fascioliasis continue to spread in many provinces, especially in Central Vietnam, where about 80% of the total national cases were reported. In only the first 6 months of 2009, Fascioliasis cases are higher than the total of combined 2007, 2008 cases, and nearly reached the outbreak of 2006.
 |  |
Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Director of NIMPE reporting on
the national malaria control results. | Dr. Le Thanh Dong-Director of IMPE-Ho Chi Minh city
giving speech at the Workshop |
At present, Fascioliasis continues to show an increasing tendency and causes theseriously condition of drug shortage. Meanwhile, the IMPE-Quy Nhon was provided with 6,500 Egaten 250mg tablets by the World Health Organization (WHO) to distribute for highly-infected provinces in Central Vietnam; but Fascioliasis patients increase drastically, causing a shortage of specific drugs and difficulties for treatment in health care centres. To deal with the condition of drug shortage, the IMPE proactively reported to the Ministry of Health (MoH) on purchase of the specific drugs for Fascioliasis and other control measures. Responding to the report by IMPE, MoH issued suggestions on the purchase of the drugs and the Institue also deploys procedures for the tender of Egaten purchase according to regulations so as to timely provide drugs for patients.
 |
M.Sc Vu Huy Nam- Head of General Planning Department of NIMPE
reporting on plans for malaria control in 2010. |
Speaking at the discussions in the workshop, Dr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Director of NIMPE, Head of the National Malaria Control Project and Dr. Trieu Nguyen Trung, Director of IMPE-Quy Nhon answered queries appropriately on difficulties in malaria control at grass-root levels. Besides, Dr. Nguyen Van Binh- Vice-director of Bureau for Preventive medicine and Environment directed provinces to enhance the quality of malaria control measures; offered the Institue to set up a specific plan for Fascioliasis control to reduce the Fascioliasis patients and control the disease stably.