Hanoi announces the cause of food poisoning at the wedding.

Regarding the above incident, the Hanoi Food Safety and Hygiene Department requested the Health Department of Thuong Tin district to advise the District People's Committee to direct relevant units to destroy the remaining sealed quantity of alcohol in accordance with regulations.

In addition, units and localities should strengthen information, communication, and guidance to raise public awareness and responsibility in ensuring food safety in the production and sale of alcoholic beverages.

"People should absolutely not consume any unlabeled, unbranded, unlicensed, or technically substandard alcoholic beverages sold on the market. At the same time, authorities advise consumers to choose food products with clear origins and sources," the Hanoi Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department noted.

Previously, on July 23rd, the Poison Control Center (Bach Mai Hospital) admitted four patients suffering from methanol poisoning (industrial alcohol).

According to the patients and their families, on the afternoon of July 20th, the aforementioned patients attended a wedding party at the home of Ms. NTH (in Trat Cau village, Tien Phong commune, Thuong Tin district) and drank apple cider. Ms. NTH's family purchased 30 liters of this cider from Mr. PQT (in Vinh Yen city, Vinh Phuc province).

At 6:15 PM on the same day, the four aforementioned patients and a man named D.VC (56 years old, residing in Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi) continued drinking the remaining alcohol from the wedding party at the home of one of the group members. Each person drank approximately 500ml to 1000ml.

Subsequently, the patients exhibited symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and headaches, and were taken to the hospital for treatment by their families.

Mr. D.VC (56 years old) went home to sleep on the night of July 21st. On the morning of July 22nd, he woke up, showered, ate, and went about his daily activities at home. That same morning, he experienced abdominal pain and vomited blood twice. On the morning of July 23rd, he died from an unknown cause.

Increase food safety controls in school areas.

On July 30th, the Hanoi Food Safety and Hygiene Department organized a training conference on assessing and issuing certificates for food safety compliant establishments and implementing several key tasks for the last six months of 2024.

According to Dang Thanh Phong, Head of the Hanoi Food Safety and Hygiene Department, Hanoi currently has more than 72,000 food production, business, and processing establishments; of which, the health sector manages approximately 39,000 establishments.

In the first six months of 2024, the entire city intensified inspection and post-inspection activities, establishing more than 600 inspection teams, focusing on tracing the origin of food, and investigating and detecting food safety violations, contributing to improving the effectiveness of food safety management in the city.

From now until the end of the year, food safety management will continue to be strengthened, focusing on controlling food safety in and around school gates; and inspecting food safety measures for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival. It is expected that from August 5th, the city will begin inspecting goods for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

According to the Hanoi Department of Health, starting in August 2024, the city will begin implementing a thematic plan titled "Strengthening food safety control in and around school gates in Hanoi" for educational institutions in Hanoi.

According to the plan, the city's authorities will review and compile a list of educational institutions, collective kitchens, and school canteens within their jurisdiction.

At the same time, authorities are investigating, reviewing, and continuously updating information on food service establishments, street food vendors, and grocery stores selling pre-packaged and ready-to-eat processed foods around school gates, categorized by product type and category.

The plan aims to promote propaganda and education, raise awareness, and define the responsibilities and actions of Party committees and authorities at all levels in ensuring food security and safety in and around school gates.

In addition, the city is implementing a comprehensive, decisive, and effective food safety control program in and around school gates, focusing on high-risk food groups, ready-to-eat food and beverages, and establishments providing ready-made meals.

In this plan, the Hanoi Department of Health has provided the hotline numbers for the Hanoi Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department: 0823.88.9095; 0922.55.9095.

Representatives from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health urge citizens to report any food stalls near schools that do not meet food safety standards, or any establishments showing signs of violating food safety regulations, to the hotline so that authorities can investigate and resolve the issue.

Bach Mai Hospital implements outpatient and outpatient services outside of regular business hours.

Associate Professor Dr. Dao Xuan Co, Director of Bach Mai Hospital, announced that in order to meet the healthcare needs of the people, contribute to reducing overcrowding, and improve the quality of medical services, starting from August 1st, Bach Mai Hospital will implement outpatient services outside of regular working hours at building K1 - the Department of On-Demand Medical Examination.

It is known that Bach Mai Hospital receives between 8,000 and 10,000 patients for examination every day. The general mindset of Vietnamese people is to go for medical check-ups early in the morning on the first days of the week, believing that "early check-ups mean early results and a quick finish." Having check-ups in the morning on the first day of the week also allows for convenient fasting if certain procedures are required.

Because of this belief, clinics and hospitals operate at high capacity in the mornings and on the first days of the week, often experiencing localized overcrowding. At Bach Mai Hospital, Tuesday mornings are usually extremely crowded with people seeking medical treatment.

With the extension of clinic hours from 5 PM to 9 PM (Monday to Friday), people can easily arrange their schedules to conveniently visit the hospital, avoiding long queues and waiting times for their turn to be examined.

Switching to afternoon, after-hours appointments not only helps people proactively manage their time and complete necessary tasks, but also provides them with easier appointment scheduling and more choices within the available time slots, as well as the ability to select a doctor according to their individual needs.

According to the Director of Bach Mai Hospital, after-hours consultations still include all specialties and clinical tests and imaging services as during regular business hours, without any change in cost. All clinics are located in the same K1 building, making it very convenient for people to travel to.

The imaging, ultrasound, endoscopy, and laboratory rooms are conveniently located on the second and third floors of building K1, making it very easy for patients to access.

According to doctors, for patients undergoing blood tests, scans, ultrasounds, etc., the full results will be available within 2 hours. For cases requiring only ultrasound or regular X-rays, the results are available within 1 hour, allowing doctors to make a diagnosis and prescribe medication.

With a wide range of clinic hours, from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Monday to Friday) and from 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Saturday and Sunday), people will have more options and convenience in scheduling their time and work to go for check-ups or bring their relatives for check-ups.