The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has ordered hospitals to work round the clock during the Tet holidays.

Hospitals and medical workers are on standby during the Tet holidays when there is a surge in the number of accidents, food poisoning and other emergencies (Photo: SGGP)

Dr. Tran Thanh My, director of the city-based Trauma and Orthopedics Hospital, said doctors and nurses at his hospital usually have their hands full during the Lunar New Year with traffic accidents victims.

More doctors are assigned to the emergency ward to provide timely treatment during the week and 15 units of each group of blood are on hand, he said.

The hospital has asked medical staff to donate blood but would seek more from the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital in case supplies run out, he added.

Dr. Trinh  Huu Tung, head of planning at Children Hospital II, said two doctors and six nurses have been assigned to work during Tet and ambulances would be on standby.

Dr. Tung warned people to keep an eye on children since they are highly susceptible to food poisoning, diarrhea, and burns and choke on bones while eating.

With health workers sounding a caution about food poisoning, hospitals have arranged for respirators and drugs. The city’s Preventive Health Center will be in charge of investigating food poisoning cases and Cho Ray and Thong Nhat hospitals will provide medical assistance to such patients.

Trung Vuong Hospital will support hospitals in districts with personnel, equipment, and ambulances if needed, Dr. Do Cong Tam, its head of Planning division, said. Ambulances will also be on standby at the hospital for domestic emergencies, he said.

Dr. Phan Van Nghiem of the Department of Health stressed that the emergency telephone number must be available round the clock.