TMCnet News
Vietnam, US sign agreement on health co-operation(Thai Press Reports Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Section: Regional News - Vietnam and the US have signed an agreement on health and medical science to further boost co-operation on health issues, including emerging diseases, avian and pandemic influenza and HIV/AIDS. The agreement was signed in Washington on July 20 by Vietnamese Minister of Health Tran Thi Trung Chien and U S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt during Minister Chien's visit to the US from July 17-22. The agreement includes the exchange of information and technical expertise, the development of rapid response plans for Vietnam, personnel training, vaccine production and pharmaceutical product management. The document, a follow up to the letter of intent of cooperation signed by both parties in October 2005 in Hanoi, will take effect as of the signing date and will last for five years. While in the US, Minister Chien met with the US Under-Secretary of State for Global Affairs and the General Director of the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. She discussed with the World Bank's Director for Human Development and Healthcare about the progress in Vietnam's plan of action on avian influenza and its preparations for responding to avian influenza on humans. The Minister also worked with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a number of medical organisations. During the meetings, the Vietnamese Minister informed the US parties of the Vietnam National Assembly's approval of the Law on HIV/AIDS Prevention, which will lay a firm foundation for the health sector to expand its preventive and cooperative activities. She spoke highly of the US's timely assistance to Vietnam in healthcare over recent years, particularly in the fight against SARS, avian influenza and HIV/AIDS. She proposed that the US parties continue to assist Vietnam in training personnel and upgrading laboratories and equipment. The US parties praised Vietnam's efforts in combating bird flu, saying Vietnam is considered a success story which the global health community is studying to duplicate its experience. - VOV |