Vietnam hosts emergency medical response drill ahead of 14th National Party Congress

The drill was organized at the National Convention Center and attended by senior health officials and leading medical experts.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said his ministry has closely coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies to deploy synchronized healthcare plans for the congress.

The health ministry established a dedicated medical subcommittee and a professional council for examination and treatment.

Medical teams will be stationed at the National Convention Center and hotels where delegates stay, while mobile emergency and backup response units have been prepared.

Authorities have also reviewed and completed lists of essential medicines, medical equipment, and supplies.

In terms of facilities, each hotel hosting delegates is equipped with an on-site emergency room.

At the National Convention Center, the ministry has set up an intensive care area equivalent to a modern intensive care unit at a top-tier hospital, along with two emergency and outpatient rooms.

This area is fully equipped with ambulances, automated chest compression devices, defibrillators, ventilators, extracorporeal life support systems, mobile digital X-ray machines, bedside ultrasound, rapid testing equipment, and a full range of essential medicines and medical supplies.

Notably, the intensive care unit is connected to an online consultation network with leading hospitals such as Bach Mai Hospital, Huu Nghi Hospital, 108 Military Central Hospital, and Viet Duc Hospital, ensuring rapid expert support for any emergency.

On staffing, the health ministry has mobilized highly qualified doctors and nurses from ministry-affiliated hospitals, the Hanoi Department of Health, and professional medical associations.

The professional council, comprising professors and leading specialists in internal medicine, surgery, emergency and intensive care, toxicology, cardiology, neurology, and tropical diseases, will remain on duty at the National Convention Center throughout the congress.

Disease prevention and control measures have also been prioritized.

The Hanoi Department of Health has instructed local medical units to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, proactively implement disease control measures, and maintain on-call teams ready to coordinate with the ministry if needed.

To enhance emergency response capacity, the health ministry conducted the drill based on four common but life-threatening scenarios.

Bach Mai Hospital handled three scenarios including cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, and stroke, while Viet Duc Hospital was responsible for a multi-trauma emergency scenario, with coordination support from other major hospitals.

Deputy Minister Thuan said all situations arising during the congress will be decided by the professional council, stressing that seamless information connectivity among forces is critical.

Medical units are required to develop detailed operational handbooks to ensure timely and effective command and coordination.

Medical teams are scheduled to take part in a full rehearsal at the National Convention Center on Tuesday to finalize all plans before the congress officially begins.

The 14th National Party Congress is slated to run for seven days in Hanoi from January 19 to 25.