Fourteen hospitals and sixteen medical centers are available for Covid-19 prevention and control at 11 hotels and 15 competition venues in Hanoi during the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), according to the municipal Department of Health.

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Health Vu Cao Cuong made the announcement at a working session this week with the Director of the Ministry of Health's Department of Medical Examination and Treatment, Luong Ngoc Khue, to review the medical services for the event.

“Local hospitals and medical centers will have to build up medical teams, each comprising two doctors and two nurses with an ambulance car and medicine and equipment. These teams will stand ready to provide medical services for members of the organizing board, athletes and spectators. Meanwhile, each hospital has been requested to set aside 5-10 beds for this purpose,” Cuong said.

He added that all involved parties, including the Hanoi Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the city's Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department, hospitals, and medical centers, are ready for SEA Games 31, with a focus on Covid-19 pandemic prevention and control as well as the medical response at 11 hotels and 15 sporting venues in the city.

Cuong emphasized that special attention should be paid to ensuring food safety during the event with regular inspections conducted at the hotel accommodating sports delegations, sporting venues, and the surrounding areas.

Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, deputy head of the Medical and Anti-Doping Sub-Committee of SEA Games 31 addresses the working session. Photo: Thu Trang

Speaking at the working session, Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, who is also deputy head of the Subcommittee on Healthcare and Anti-Doping of SEA Games 31, asked the health sectors of Hanoi and localities to build a plan for medical service to ensure the highest safety for athletes in the most professional manner.

He called for close, smooth and effective coordination among functional agencies, units and individuals, towards professionalism in providing medical services for the athletes.

Khue suggested that Hanoi launch a campaign to keep the city green, clean and beautiful to welcome SEA Games 31, asking the city to design an organization and management map to ensure effective coordination among relevant agencies.

He stressed that the Medical and Anti-Doping Sub-Committee will work closely with Hanoi’s Department of Health to check the readiness of the hospitals and medical centers and conduct medical rehearsals.

In term of food safety, Deputy Director of the Health Ministry’s Vietnam Food Administration Nguyen Hung Long said that Hanoi should make thorough inspections at competition venues and hotels hosting athletes and surrounding areas while implementing detailed plans to ensure food safety during SEA Games 31.

The event, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will run in Hanoi and 11 neighboring provinces and cities from May 12 to 23. The capital city will host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as 22 sports within the Games. As of March 15, Hanoi has basically completed the upgrading of all infrastructure works serving the upcoming SEA Games 31.