Protecting public health after natural disasters

After days of storms and floods, along with property damage, the risk of disease is always lurking in people's lives. As soon as the water receded, the Yen Bai Regional Medical Center quickly and synchronously deployed many urgent medical activities, focusing on disease prevention and control. With a sense of responsibility and timeliness, the Center has become a solid "shield", protecting people's health after natural disasters.

On the morning of October 2, at the Vaccination Room of the Yen Bai Regional Medical Center, many people were present early to receive free tetanus injections. Their faces still showed fatigue after many days of fighting the flood, but they all shared the desire to protect their health. As soon as the floodwaters receded, many households were busy cleaning up their houses and mud; during that process, many people suffered scratches, infections, and even serious injuries.

Mr. Ha Xuan Bai in Xuan Lan residential group, Nam Cuong ward, shared: Yesterday, while cleaning the house, I accidentally stepped on a piece of broken glass and cut my foot. The wound was soaked in muddy water for a long time, so it was swollen. After being informed by the medical staff , this morning, I went to the Center to get vaccinated. I feel much more secure, the vaccination is free, so I feel very warm.

Mr. Ha Xuan Bai in Xuan Lan residential group, Nam Cuong ward went to Yen Bai Regional Health Station to treat his wound and get a tetanus injection.

According to records, on October 2, 12 cases were injected with tetanus serum for free. For severe cases, after initial treatment, the Center instructed people to complete the hospitalization procedures and transfer to the Surgery Department for further treatment. Mild cases were instructed to take care at home and continue to be monitored.

Notably, Pham Minh Duc, 15 years old, residing in Thai Hoc 1 residential group, Yen Bai ward, while cleaning up the mud, suffered from swelling and pus in his leg and developed a fever. He was given tetanus antitoxin at the Center and promptly hospitalized for treatment.

Duc emotionally confided: I thank the doctors for their thoughtful explanations and care. At first I was very worried, but now I feel much more reassured. I hope to recover soon so I can return to normal activities, go to school to meet teachers and friends.

Pham Minh Duc, a resident of Thai Hoc 1 residential group, Yen Bai ward, received counseling and encouragement after receiving a tetanus antitoxin injection.

Not only do they provide vaccinations or treatments, the medical staff at the Yen Bai Regional Medical Center also enthusiastically advise and guide people on how to care for their wounds, while also listening, answering questions, and encouraging people to feel secure and stabilize their lives. It is this closeness and sense of responsibility that has helped strengthen trust and strengthen community solidarity in the days after the natural disaster.

Along with the vaccination work, Yen Bai Regional Medical Center also coordinated with the Provincial Center for Disease Control to organize large-scale disinfection spraying. Specialized vehicles carrying chemical tanks weaved through each street and school that had just been cleaned of mud. The white mist from the nozzles spread everywhere, contributing to cleaning the environment and bringing peace of mind to parents, students and residents.

By the afternoon of October 2, 5 deeply flooded schools had been environmentally treated, ensuring conditions for students to return soon; many main streets in Yen Bai and Nam Cuong wards were basically treated, avoiding the risk of pollution after flooding.

Yen Bai Regional Medical Center coordinated with the Provincial Center for Disease Control to disinfect schools and roads that had been cleaned after the storm and flood.

In addition, the Yen Bai Regional Medical Center has directed its affiliated medical stations to instruct people on how to disinfect wells and domestic water sources - one of the urgent and practical issues. After the flood, many wells were flooded, the water changed color, had a foul odor, and posed a potential risk of spreading disease. Medical staff went to the residential groups to instruct them on how to use Cloramin B and lime powder for disinfection, ensuring a clean water source for people's daily activities.

In order to ensure timely response, the Center and its affiliated medical stations have arranged 24/7 emergency response teams, ready to receive and handle trauma cases and post-flood cleanup injuries. In particular, medical staff from the stations have proactively gone to the scene to provide first aid and treatment to the flood cleanup team, and promptly injected tetanus serum. This helps ensure health safety and reduce the burden on the upper level.

Soldiers participating in flood cleanup were injured and received tetanus injections on-site by staff at Hong Ha Medical Station, Yen Bai Ward.

Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Van Chien - Deputy Director of Yen Bai Regional Medical Center said: We determined that after the flood, epidemic prevention is the top priority. In addition to emergency care and vaccination, the Center has closely coordinated with local forces and authorities to handle the environment and propagate to each household how to prevent epidemics. This is an important solution for people to feel secure to resume production.

It can be affirmed that the practical and effective activities that the Yen Bai Regional Medical Center has implemented in the work of preventing and fighting epidemics after storms and floods have made an important contribution to protecting people's health and minimizing the risk of epidemics. At the same time, these measures also bring safety to the community, help people feel secure, quickly stabilize their lives, restore production and create a foundation for the recovery process and sustainable development after natural disasters.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/bao-ve-suc-khoe-cong-dong-sau-thien-tai-post883532.html