The Ministry of Health (MoH) has officially asked the Government to stop implementation of new health regulations for drivers, said Nguyen Huy Quang, deputy head of the ministry’s Legislation Department.

A group of doctors from the US’s Female Health Foundation (FHF) provided free medical check-ups for the poor in central Thua Thien-Hue province between Oct. 18-19.

Vietnam will soon restore the supply of safe milk for consumers nationwide, with the quality and prices of products to be controlled strictly, a health official said on October 15.

Vietnam will increase cooperation with other countries in the Pacific region in addressing its own healthcare-related issues regarding overload in hospitals, financial sources for the health sector, healthcare insurance, and the control of food hygiene and safety.

Vietnam and China agreed to set up a cooperation mechanism on import-export food hygiene, and exchange information and technicians in this field.

Construction on a 17-floor hospital will begin next October in Dong Nai, said the director of the southern province’s Health Department on Wednesday.

A health official said his sector will focus on attracting private investment in an effort to improve healthcare service and ensure it operates efficiently.

The capital city of Hanoi will help its Lao counterpart Vientiane organise food hygiene courses for health staff and train health workers for the 25 th Southeast Games scheduled for late 2009.

A 100-bed public hospital will be built in September under the current free clinic in Kien Giang province.

The Vaccine and Bio-Technology Products No 1 Company (VABIOTECH) has developed a new cholera vaccine that is far superior to existing prophylactics on the market, according to Dr Nguyen Tran Hien, director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.