Proactively pushing back disease outbreaks

In 2025, despite the complex developments of various diseases, the Dong Nai provincial health sector implemented a comprehensive range of coordinated solutions to control, detect, and promptly handle outbreaks, thereby preventing the large-scale spread of these diseases.

In 2026, the Dong Nai health sector clearly defined its approach as “prevention as the primary focus, with preventive medicine and grassroots healthcare as the foundation,” aiming to protect people’s health from the community level, strengthen control of risk factors for non-communicable diseases, and reduce the long-term burden of disease.

Early and proactive prevention

According to Le Quang Trung, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, in 2025, cases of certain infectious diseases, such as dengue fever, hand-foot-mouth disease, and measles, increased compared to the previous year. However, the province maintained stable epidemic conditions thanks to effective treatment referral systems, proactive prevention efforts, and thorough preparation of medicines, chemicals, and medical supplies, which helped minimize fatalities.

A doctor checks a child’s health at Xuan Truong Commune Health Station (Xuan Loc Commune, Dong Nai Province). Photo: Hanh Dung.

The Expanded Programme on Immunisation continued to be implemented effectively. Most childhood vaccination targets were met or exceeded. The measles vaccination rate reached over 96%, while the rate of full immunization exceeded 95%. Although the rollout of the rotavirus vaccine in the former Binh Phuoc area still faced difficulties, coverage reached a notable level, reflecting the health sector’s efforts in early prevention of dangerous infectious diseases in young children. From 2026, the rotavirus vaccine against acute diarrhea will be included in the Expanded Programme on Immunisation province-wide, which is expected to help reduce morbidity and mortality from acute diarrhea among young children and improve the effectiveness of child healthcare and protection from the earliest years of life.

Alongside efforts to prevent infectious diseases, the prevention of non-communicable diseases continues to receive focused attention at the grassroots level of healthcare. The network of commune and ward health stations, along with regional medical centers, has stepped up screening, early detection, management, and monitoring of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Tens of thousands of patients are being treated and managed stably within the community, helping to ease the burden on higher-level hospitals.

“Key tasks that the health sector and localities need to implement in the coming period urgently include: building and managing lifelong electronic health records for residents; making synchronized investments in the health station system, gradually ensuring each station has 4–5 doctors; increasing the rate of health insurance-covered examination and treatment at the commune level; accelerating comprehensive digital transformation in the health sector; and researching and proposing appropriate incentive policies for grassroots healthcare workers.”

 Le Truong Son, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, speaking at the Conference on the Implementation of Tasks for 2026 of the Dong Nai Provincial Health Sector

Strengthening the grassroots healthcare system

One of the most notable achievements of Dong Nai’s health sector in 2025 was that 100% of health stations and satellite stations had doctors on duty, and nearly 90% of health stations were eligible to provide health insurance-covered medical services. This accomplishment marks an essential step in enhancing grassroots healthcare capacity, enabling people to access quality medical services locally.

At the same time, investment in grassroots healthcare infrastructure was accelerated. Many medical centers and health stations were newly built, renovated, or upgraded. Investment projects funded by both central and local budgets were implemented on schedule. The completion and groundbreaking of key healthcare facilities contributed to improving working conditions for medical staff and enhancing service quality for the public.

As of January 1, 2026, all health stations were transferred from regional medical centers to be managed by the commune and ward People’s Committees.

According to Tran Hung, Vice Chairman of the Trang Dai Ward People’s Committee (Dong Nai Province), health stations under ward-level management enable more timely and practical direction and administration by local leaders, facilitate intersectoral coordination, and mobilize on-the-spot resources. Teams of experienced health workers who understand the local area and disease patterns will help improve the quality of public healthcare. Health activities are effectively integrated with population programs, social welfare, and preventive healthcare, aiming for comprehensive, community-based healthcare.

Nguyen Ngoc Phuong, Deputy Director of Phuoc Long Regional Medical Center, said that after health stations are transferred to commune and ward People’s Committees, regional medical centers will continue to accompany and provide professional support, supply medicines, assist with health insurance-covered medical services, and coordinate promptly with relevant units to ensure uninterrupted operation of grassroots healthcare.

At the recent Conference on the Implementation of Tasks for 2026 of the Dong Nai Provincial Health Sector, Le Truong Son, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, requested that the health sector and grassroots authorities thoroughly grasp Politburo Resolution No. 72 on breakthrough solutions to strengthen the protection, care, and improvement of people’s health, as well as Action Plan No. 29 issued by the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee on December 11, 2025. These must be urgently translated into programs and action plans suited to local realities. In particular, awareness and action must be unified around three core orientations: a substantial shift from treatment to prevention; taking grassroots and preventive healthcare as the foundation; and placing people at the center of all health policies.

Regarding the handover and operation of health stations after the transfer, provincial leaders requested the Department of Health to play a core role, proactively coordinate, and periodically work with localities to promptly guide and support the resolution of difficulties and obstacles. Issues beyond authority must be promptly summarized and reported to the Provincial People’s Committee for consideration and direction. In addition, all levels and sectors should pay attention to understanding the aspirations of medical staff and doctors, promptly resolving issues or proposing appropriate solutions to create consensus, maintain stability in thinking, and ensure effective operations.

By Hanh Dung – Translated by Trieu Ngan, Minho