Hospitals in HCM City start using Remdesivir to treat COVID-19 patients
Around 10,000 vials of Remdesivir have been distributed to 10 hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City to treat COVID-19 patients starting today, according to the Ministry of Health
The first batch of Remdesivir imported by Vingroup arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City on August 5. (Photo courtesy of Pham Sanh Chau, Vietnamese Ambassador to India)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Around 10,000 vials of Remdesivir havebeen distributed to 10 hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City to treat COVID-19 patientsstarting today, according to the Ministry of Health.
The southern city is currently the biggest COVID-19 hot spot with4,000-7,000 cases recorded daily since mid-July, and the main objective rightnow is to reduce deaths among severe cases as medical facilities strain tohandle large inflows of patients.
The ministry noted that through donation sources in the past, the drugappears to help reduce the viral load in the infected, but cautioned thatmembers of public should not look for or stock up on these drugs.
The administration and the doses required must be indicated by doctors.
Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Health Ministry's Department of MedicalExamination and Treatment, said that Remdesivir is still after all a new drugand the administration of this drug must be closely followed to see its actualeffectiveness.
On August 6, the Ministry of Health held a meeting on COVID-19treatment, in which they discussed the use of anticoagulant (oral drug),antiviral drugs including Remdesivir, monoclonal antibody drugs, and pronepositioning.
However, it has not officially approved the drug yet.
Future batches of the drugs will be allocated to HCM City and thesouthern region, and if other localities need some then adjustments could bemade.
Vingroup said it had negotiated successfully for 500,000 vials ofRemdesivir from Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla under licensing agreementfrom US-based Gilead Sciences. The first batch arrived at Tan Son NhatInternational Airport in HCM City on August 5.
A further 100,000 vials are expected to be delivered to Vietnam nextweek./.
The National Ethics Committee in Biomedical Research under the Ministry of Health on August 7 held an urgent online meeting to review the results of the first phase of clinical trials of Vietnam’s domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine, Nano Covax, and to pass the mid-term assessment of its second phase.
Vietnam reported 3,540 COVID-19 cases, including one imported, in the past over 12 hours to 6.30pm on August 7, bringing the total number of infection in the day to 7,334, according to the Ministry of Health.
Vietnam recorded 4,941 new COVID-19 infections, including 4,937 domestic and four imported cases, in the past 12 hours to 6am on August 8, the Ministry of Health said.
Three intensive care units for COVID-19 patients (ICUs) with doctors and medical personnel coming from three central-level hospitals across the country opened on August 7 in Ho Chi Minh City – the country’s current largest pandemic hotspot.
Despite storm-related disruptions and flight delays, the organs were successfully transported via a combination of air and ground travel. All patients are currently stable and recovering well.
The patient, Tieu Viet But, born in 1970 and residing in Binh Tri commune, Binh Son district, the central province of Quang Ngai, was working aboard fishing vessel Qng – 95657TS when the incident occurred at 7:00 am.
All drugs entering hospitals must have a clear origin, so counterfeit drugs are only in the market, not in hospital, affirmed Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan.
To achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2045, Vietnam is prioritising the integration of AI and digital tools into the training of future doctors, said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Nhung, Dean of Medicine at University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University (VNU) Hanoi.
Health experts called for collective disease prevention and integrated solutions to achieve zero dengue deaths in the country at an online talk show on June 14.
The PM called for closer, broader, and more effective cooperation with Vietnamese partners, guided by the principles of mutual benefit, joint efforts, shared outcomes, and common development, including promoting stronger public-private partnerships and collaboration with businesses.
Renowned for its expertise in complex surgeries, the hospital has attracted foreign patients seeking treatment for conditions such as kidney and urinary tract stones, urological and gastrointestinal cancers, and male reproductive disorders. Most procedures are performed using advanced techniques, including laparoscopy and robotic surgery. T
Leading Vietnamese companies specialising in respiratory and dermatological treatments, traditional medicine, immune support supplements, and functional foods will have an opportunity to connect with international distributors and secure export deals.
The project aimed to enable early detection and reduce the risk of dangerous complications, targeting patients with chronic diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and metabolic disorders.
A 2023 report by the Vietnam Health Economics Association estimated that the total cost of tobacco-related healthcare and economic losses reached 108 trillion VND (4.14 billion USD) annually – equivalent to 1.14% of GDP and five times higher than the budget revenue generated by the tobacco industry.
All eligible patients will receive surgical interventions and post-operative care in accordance with Vietnamese medical standards and global care protocols.
Medical screenings and surgical interventions for children with disabilities are being carried out at health centers across Dien Bien. So far this year, 242 children have been identified for diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and the provision of assistive devices.
The Red Journey has become the country’s largest and most effective blood donation campaign, leaving a strong impression on the national voluntary blood donation movement.
This case marks the ninth fetal cardiac intervention conducted in HCM City, and it was considered the most technically demanding to date due to the fetus’s extremely early gestational age and the severity of the condition as diagnosed with aortic atresia.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place one day after the VNVC Vaccine JS Company and Sanofi Group exchanged cooperation documents on vaccine production technology transfer under the witness of State President Luong Cuong and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Vietnam’s traditional medicine took centre stage at the International Congress Biopharm Nonclinical Development, BioNCiD 2025, held on May 25-26 in the Cuban city of Varadero, amid growing global interest in sustainable healthcare solutions.
Under the agreement, VNVC and Sanofi will gradually implement technology transfers to enable domestic production of several key Sanofi vaccines that are widely used in Vietnam. In addition, Sanofi will support VNVC in training human resources and quality management in vaccine research and manufacturing.
Despite the ongoing global circulation and unpredictable developments of SARS-CoV-2, the World Health Organisation (WHO) hasn’t issued new warnings about COVID-19, said the Ministry of Health.
The first batch of Remdesivir imported by Vingroup arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City on August 5. (Photo courtesy of Pham Sanh Chau, Vietnamese Ambassador to India) 
