HCM City pork free of lean-meat agents None of the samples of pork and pig organs sold in HCM City's markets contained clenbuterol and salbutamol, the lean-meat additives banned in breeding animals, the HCM City Department of Food Hygiene and Safety announced yesterday, May 17. Between April 16 and 21, the department took 24 samples of pork and pig organs from supermarkets, traditional markets and temporary markets for testing. The department said it would inspect the use of this substance in the markets in the upcoming time. The department also suggested that pork containing lean-meat additives usually have abnormally bright red colour. Traffic deaths down by 30 per cent Traffic deaths on land, rail and water in the first four months of this year decreased by 30 per cent against the same period last year, the National Committee for Traffic Safety announced yesterday, May 17. Nearly 3,700 traffic accidents were reported in the period, with more than 3,100 deaths (or 26 deaths a … [Read more...] about SOCIETY IN BRIEF 18/5
Society
SOCIETY IN BRIEF 11/1
PM approves national plan to ease hospital overload The Prime Minister has approved a national plan aiming to significantly reduce the overload at state hospitals between 2013-20, with the goal that patients will not have to share hospital beds by 2015. The immediate focus of the plan is to reduce overcrowding at national and specialised hospitals in Ha Noi and HCM City, in addition to increasing the hospital occupancy rate at district and provincial hospitals to 60 per cent by 2015 and 80 per cent by 2020. These hospitals will be used as satellites for specialised departments (including tumor, trauma unit, cardiology, obstetrics and paediatrics) in Ha Noi and HCM City's state hospitals. It has also been suggested that investment be poured into upgrading and expanding hospital facilities so that at least 7,150 extra beds will be in use by 2015. Following the PM's decision, three-year pilot projects will begin in Ha Noi and HCM City in which family doctors will collaborate with … [Read more...] about SOCIETY IN BRIEF 11/1
SOCIETY IN BRIEF 12/10
SC Bank provides US$1 million for eye care program Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam has offered US$1 million for the fifth phase implementation of the eye care project. The offer was announced at a meeting to mark World Sight Day held in Hanoi on October 11 by the SC Bank, Fred Hollows Foundation and Hanoi Eye Hospital. The fifth phase of the project will be implemented from 2013 to 2016 with the aim of helping local medical centres to improve the quality of eye care services and providing medical facilities for remote and mountainous areas. It will also help reduce the number of diseases which cause blindness but can be avoidable. The project is within the framework of the global campaign “Seeing is Believing” initiated by SC Bank. Since 2004, the SC Bank-funded project has contributed to providing eye care services for millions of Vietnamese people and reducing the number of blind people. Festival for ophthalmology sector The Vietnam Ophthalmology Association (VOA) … [Read more...] about SOCIETY IN BRIEF 12/10
SOCIETY IN BRIEF 18/10
Conference examines threats to agriculture While agricultural production has enormous potential to reduce poverty in rural areas, governments must enact new policies to prevent potential losses of profits as the risks are especially high in this sector, an international conference heard on Wednesday, Oct 17, in HCM City. Organised by the Forum for Agriculture Risk Management in Development, the conference focused on Asia's rice industry and opportunities for improved risk management. Viet Nam has achieved remarkable progress in rice production and export, contributing to food supply in some parts of the world, Bui Ba Bong, deputy minister of the agriculture and rural development, said. At a time when concerns exist about higher food prices worldwide, the country has been able to maintain a high capacity for food production and export. "With its rapidly growing middle class, developing countries will continue to account for the bulk of incremental global food demand and growing share of … [Read more...] about SOCIETY IN BRIEF 18/10
Meeting promotes family’s role in society
Addressing a meeting in Hanoi on June 28 to mark Vietnam Family Day (June 28), Nhan highlighted family’s role as the basic unit of society and that the health and happiness of families are reflected in society’s sustainable development. He noted that the Vietnamese family has been a place to preserve and promote traditions and positive cultural values for thousands of years, perpetuating wisdom like “when drinking water remember the source”, patriotism, industriousness, persistence, bravery, and caring for the young and disadvantaged. Building wealthy, progressive and happy families is a primary goal of the Party and State, Nhan affirmed. The Deputy PM asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) to work closely with relevant ministries and agencies to effectively implement Party and State policies on family affairs. MCST Deputy Minister Huynh Vinh Ai said industrialization, international integration, and the pressure of modern life have changed … [Read more...] about Meeting promotes family’s role in society