In June 2021, when the COVID - 19 pandemic became complicated and widespread in Ho Chi Minh City, Vinmec Central Park International Hospital effectively operated the largest field laboratory in the city. All medical workers in this lab worked together to realize the common goal of collecting as many samples accurately and quickly as possible to timely detect F0 cases.
Given the complicated and widespread nature of the pandemic starting in mid-June 2021, a COVID-19 RT-PCR Laboratory was set up as per the decision of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Vingroup to meet the urgent screening requirements of Ho Chi Minh City. After receiving sufficient investment in terms of equipment and human resources from Vingroup, the Laboratory started its operation on June 18, 2021, at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital 2. The Laboratory has a large capacity with 24 PCR machines, 9 automated extraction systems, and 7 biological safety cabinets. Within 24 hours, it can store 30,000 to 60,000 pooled samples (equivalent to 300,000 to 600,000 people tested). VinBiocare and Vinmec Healthcare System were assigned to coordinate with Ho Chi Minh City CDC in this mission.
On June 30, 2021, at midnight, Vinmec Central Park International Hospital was commissioned to support emergency PCR testing for all residents in Thu Duc wholesale market due to an outbreak reported there. This event marked the official beginning of the testing and F0 tracing campaign of Vinmec Healthcare System.
From July 1, 2021, Vinmec Central Park International Hospital has mobilized more than 5,000 staff members and volunteers to join in the training on PCR testing methods and sample collection at hot spots in the inner areas of Ho Chi Minh City. In 5 days, more than 2 million people had their samples taken.
On July 4, 2021, the Laboratory was officially relocated to Vinmec Central Park International Hospital. A plan was in place to increase its capacity, making it the largest screening laboratory in Ho Chi Minh City. More than 100 Vinmec’s medical workers and 200 volunteers from various universities participated in the testing campaign in all districts of Ho Chi Minh City and then in Binh Duong, Long An, and Tien Giang provinces. Among the medical workers joining in this campaign, 80% of them come from Vinmec Times City International Hospital, Vinmec High-Tech Center (Hanoi), Vinmec Hai Phong International Hospital, Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital, Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital, etc.
They are all dedicated to the goal of taking as many samples accurately and quickly as possible to facilitate the timely detection of F0 cases. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the medical workers and volunteers, from June 18 to September 9, the Laboratory tested 5,713,080 people and detected 26,859 positive cases, actively contributing to the success of controlling COVID-19 outbreaks in Ho Chi Minh City during its peak time.
On the afternoon of July 11, 2021, during their inspection of the anti-pandemic work in Ho Chi Minh City, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Government’s delegation visited the Hospital and the Laboratory to give encouraging words to the COVID-19 task forces. The Prime Minister's caring greatly encouraged the anti-pandemic team at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital to be even more dedicated to the patients' care.
Previously, in early 2021, when inspecting Vinmec Central Park International Hospital, the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City highly appreciated and acknowledged the Hospital's outstanding efforts in enhancing staff’s expertise and ensuring good COVID-19 prevention and response. The Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City praised Vinmec Central Park International Hospital for their early deployment of an emergency room for screening and two negative pressure isolation rooms at the hospital's Emergency Department to proactively respond to suspected or confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2.
To ensure a safe hospital environment for patients, the emergency rooms for screening at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital are separated from crowded areas. In addition, these rooms are adjacent to negative pressure rooms, which are used to isolate suspected or confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2.
During the pandemic, Vinmec Central Park International Hospital and all hospitals under the Vinmec Health System have always maintained convenient screening locations for patients. The leaders and staff members of Vinmec Central Park International Hospital are constantly trained on COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment, and preventive procedures in order to raise awareness of proactive pandemic prevention and control, also ensure safety for the Hospital and its patients. During social distancing, the Hospital has pioneered providing completely new services in Vietnam, such as remote health care and ambulatory surgery. By always meeting technical expertise and maintaining a highly safe medical environment, Vinmec Central Park International Hospital has been recognized by the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City as one of the safest medical examination and treatment facilities during the COVID-19 period. The Hospital was also selected as one of nine hospitals to accept passengers entering Vietnam through Tan Son Nhat airport during the quarantine period who required medical care.
