More than 50 percent patients coming to hospitals for treatment are undernourished, according to a research study conducted by the Abbott Fund in cooperation with Boston University, Bach Mai Hospital and the Medicine University in Hanoi.
Results of the research study were announced on November 7. Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Viet Tien said that nutrition plays an important role in the treatment and cure of patients, especially those undergoing surgery. Good and balanced nutrition can help patients recover sooner, particularly after a serious illness or surgery.
However, relatives of patients do not fully pay attention to nutrition. The research study showed 50 percent inpatients, 14 percent people in general and 78 percent people who were undergoing an operation suffer from malnutrition. Moreover, nutritional deficiency in adults causes a higher rate of infection, resulting in a longer hospitalization period and more costs.
On the same day, the Ministry of Health said it has granted a registration number for the Agrrippal S1 vaccine, but they still have not been imported into the country. Several European countries are said to have stopped using this vaccine, made by Italian Novartis Vaccine & Diagnostic Company, to fight flu infection.
The health watchdogs in Europe have held onto the Novartis flu vaccine due to the viral proteins present in it. Flu vaccines are designed to induce antibodies to use these proteins to prevent infection, so that if an immunized person comes in contact with influenza the antibodies work to fight flu infection.
The health watchdog in Vietnam has ordered all departments of health in provinces and cities to inform importers to stop using this vaccine.
