Over the past week, the healthcare sector has continuously issued important directives to respond to the complicated developments of infectious diseases, while simultaneously tightening food safety management and discipline in pharmaceutical business activities.
Warning of widespread increase in Dengue fever risk
According to assessments from the General Department of Preventive Medicine, the dengue fever situation is showing signs of increasing in many localities. Although surveillance is currently being strictly controlled, the risk of the number of cases continuing to surge in the near future is significant. Experts suggest that the early onset of hot and humid weather provides an ideal environment for disease-transmitting mosquitoes to thrive.
In addition to natural cycle factors, rapid urbanization and high population density in major cities pose significant challenges. The habit of improper water storage in residential areas is unintentionally creating larva breeding sites, causing the disease to appear earlier and last longer than in previous years. The Ministry of Health has issued an official dispatch requesting localities not to be subjective, to maintain regular preventive measures, and to thoroughly handle outbreaks as soon as they are detected.
Implementing the Action Month for Food Safety 2026
To promote food safety (FS) assurance in the new situation, the Central Inter-sectoral Steering Committee on Food Safety has officially issued Plan No. 598/KH-BCĐTƯATTP. Accordingly, the “Action Month for Food Safety” 2026 will take place from April 15 to May 15, 2026.
The central theme of this year is identified as: “Ensuring food safety, preventing food poisoning in catering services and street food”. This is a peak period aimed at creating a strong shift in awareness and action among authorities at all levels, production and business establishments, and consumers. Inspection and examination activities will be intensified at street food businesses and catering services to minimize collective food poisoning incidents.
Tightening the management of medical and pharmaceutical practice
In an effort to sanitize the pharmaceutical market, Decree 90/2026/NĐ-CP has officially come into effect with new regulations carrying high deterrence against administrative violations in the health sector.
Most notable are the sanctions against drug quality. Acts of manufacturing or trading substandard, counterfeit, or expired drugs will be fined based on the value of the shipment, with the maximum fine for individuals reaching up to 100 million VND. Regarding pharmaceutical practice, professional managers must be present at retail establishments as prescribed; acts of absence without authorization or using expired practice certificates will be resolutely handled.
In addition, information and drug advertising activities are also strictly controlled. The Decree strictly prohibits advertising acts that cause confusion between functional foods and drugs, or conducting advertising when the content has not been approved by competent state management agencies.
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