Viet Nam : Second Greater Mekong Subregion Regional Communicable Diseases Control Project

Health / Disease control of communicable disease - Health system development

Improved health of the population in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Timely and adequate control of communicable diseases likely to have a major impact on the region's public health and economy.

In 2011: No outbreaks recorded

In 2012: H5N1 outbreak in two provinces

In 2013: H5N1 outbreak in two provinces

In 2014: H5N1 outbreak in two provinces

In 2015: No outbreaks recorded

In 2016: Zika virus cases in 11 provinces

In 2017: Zika virus cases in 06 provinces

All H5N1 outbreaks were reported within 24 hours

All Zika virus cases were reported within 24 hours

In the period 2011-2016, there was no border outbreak in Vietnam. However, clustering of cases was reported in one of the CDC2 AF project provinces, all of which were reported within 24 hours.

The EA will evaluate proper CDC prevention and care through the project closing assessment. Data from the survey will be used to report end-of-project value for this indicator.

Based on the project baseline survey, overall score for proper CDC practice was 66.3. This was based on a 100 point scoring scale with following cut-offs: good: e70, fair: 50-69, poor: <50.

Supplementary information: the project purchased and distributed to (i) 16 border provinces 16 sets of communication equipment, (ii) 63 provinces 200,000 leaflets, 40,000 posters on Dengue fever and Zika virus, IEC materials, (iii) 182 mobile communication equipment for 182 communes in Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc.

Provinces have also organized communication campaigns to mobilize and raise awareness of communities on prevention of CDs such as HFMD, dengue fever; campaigns for hand washing with soap, environment cleanup, etc.

1. Enhanced regional CDC systems

2. Improved CDC along borders and economic corridors

3. Integrated project management

Dr. Vu Ngoc Long is the national focal point for CDC. Dr. Tran Dac Phu acts as the IHR focal point. MOH has a TOR of national focal points on CDC with consensus from ADB. The TOR includes information sharing, coordinating with stakeholders regionally and domestically. The TORs have been fulfilled. The focal point reported public health events of International concerns to WHO, relevant Ministries (Zika in 2016, collaboration with MARD on zoonotic diseases).

The project supported the implementation of (i) the action plan for elimination of tetanus for newborn by vaccination for women of childbearing age or vaccination campaign such as Japanese Encephalistis for high risk areas with ethnic minority groups in mountainous provinces; (ii) support in deploying vaccination campaign for Diphtheria for ethnic minority groups in K'Bang, Gia Lai province in 2016 -2017, in Tay Giang district, Quang Nam province in 2016.

Vietnam also took part in joint implementation of regional strategies for emerging diseases and NTDs.

MOH support information sharing among CLV countries. 09 provinces including Dien Bien, Nghe An, Son La, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, An Giang, Long An and Tay Ninh have shared information on communicable diseases with pair provinces of Laos and Cambodia. The information sharing commenced from Quarter II/2016 which is also reported to GDPM

JEE was carried out to evaluate national compliance to IHR/APSED. Results showed that Vietnam scored 2 or 3 (limited and developing capacity) for 83% of the assessment indicators, and scored 4 (demonstrated capacity) for 17% of the assessment indicators.

Some project provinces (3 in 2016, 3 in 2017) have been sharing data on named CDs on a weekly basis, (6 in 2016 and 13 in 2017) sharing data on named CDs on monthly basis.

Gender content is reflected in CDC training and reported to ADB in quarterly and annual progress reports.

Output 2. Improved CDC along borders and economic corridors

In the 2011-2015 period, an average increase of 21 communities per year (2011-2012: 104 communities, 110 communities in 2013, 145 communities in 2014, 215 communities in 2015

No. of model health villages (MHV) per border district by year

In 2011 - 2012: 1.89

In 2013: 2

In 2014: 2.6

In 2015: 3.9

The project has actively implemented cross border activities with Laos and Cambodia, ensuring its targets and implementation of plans.

Monthly/ quarterly provincial Health Department hosted 30 cross border meetings with neighboring country to discuss about health cooperation between the two provinces. Data on district level will be extracted from the results of Project Closing Assessment.

From 2011 - 2015, 23.3% staff in charge of CDC works at local unit received training using project budget. Training topics include Surveillance and response, CDs (dengue, NTDs, etc.), use of lab equipment, BCC.

Some results are reported in PPMUs' separate surveys, which do not represent the whole project but these results will serve as reference for following surveys, especially for the project closing assessment.

The basic competencies of CDCs are defined as a list for the project. The project plan to have the firm to conduct the interview with the leaders of the working units on CDC staff performance. However, competencies are not measured at the individual level.

Output 3. Integrated project management

All targeted provinces develop and implement an annual plan. The approval for Annual Operation Plan was proceeded under regulations.

Level of consultation and participation envisaged are information sharing, Consultation,Collaborative decision making and empowerment. Existing organizational structures down to the village level will be used, no need for a separate system. However, participation will be monitored.