The Hanoi Department of Health on May 5 held a ceremony to encourage medical workers who will be serving the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).

Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung suggested that all health workers should not only provide medical services for athletes but also act as cultural ambassadors for the city, bringing out Hanoians’ hospitality.

Dung also requested the city’s health sector to take responsibility for Covid-19 prevention plans, closely monitor food safety for athletes and guests and stand ready to respond to emergency situations at competition venues.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son and Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Chu Xuan Dung inspect food testing vehicles. Photo: Thu Trang

The vice chairman stressed that Hanoi authorities have conducted careful food safety inspections at competition venues, surrounding areas, and hotels hosting athletes while devising more detailed plans to ensure food safety during the event.

“Drastic measures will be rolled out to ensure food safety for the SEA Games 31, especially in hotels and restaurants serving international guests throughout the event,” Dung noted.

For his part, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son, who is also head of the Medical and Anti-Doping Sub-Committee of SEA Games 31, said that Vietnam has put the pandemic under control, and all medical infrastructures for competitions have been completed.

“Hanoi’s health department has well prepared for the event. So far, 21 medical teams run by district medical centers and 21 others by local hospitals have been set up, along with 5-10 beds in each hospital. Meanwhile, 35 medical facilities have been made ready to receive and provide treatment for Covid-19 patients. Medical staff and equipment are also on standby,” Son said.

Underlining that SEA Games 31 is a big event for the country and Hanoi, Son asked the city to design an organization and management map to ensure effective coordination among relevant agencies and design detailed plans for medical service provision, especially during the opening and closing days of the event.

On the same day, Deputy Minister Nguyen Truong Son and Vice Chairman Chu Xuan Dung inspected the medical facilities at SEA Games 31, including ambulances, testing vehicles for food safety, emergency equipment, among others.

Under a plan issued on March 14 by the municipal Department of Health on preparations for the event, fourteen hospitals and 16 medical centers will provide healthcare and Covid-19 prevention and control services at 11 hotels and 15 competition venues in Hanoi during SEA Games 31.

The event will last from May 12to 23 with 40 sports events. Health care services for the Games will be provided between May 10 and 24. SEA Games will draw 7,000 athletes who will compete in venues in Hanoi and surrounding provinces and cities.

Hanoi will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, as well as 18 sports events.