Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has issued the National Action Plan on Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities for 2025-2030 as the World Health Organization rated hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) as one of the most common adverse events in medical service delivery.
The plan aims to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) in healthcare facilities to enhance the quality of medical care and ensure safety for patients, healthcare workers, and the community.
A critical challenge in combating HAIs is the growing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Preliminary data from Vietnam’s HAI surveillance system reveal high antibiotic resistance rates among bacteria causing bloodstream and urinary tract infections in central and provincial hospitals.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that recent disease outbreaks, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, have underscored the vital role of IPC in delivering safe, high-quality healthcare and in preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.
The ministry pointed out some gaps and challenges in IPC, including the lack of a comprehensive, long-term strategy for infection control and insufficient coordination among healthcare agencies, antibiotic management authorities, medical training institutions, and community organizations.
While a national HAI surveillance system has been established, it remains incomplete, with IPC practices unevenly developed across healthcare facilities. Many hospitals have yet to allocate adequate funding for infection control activities, further complicating efforts to address these issues. (Suc Khoe Doi Song)