At the award ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Health, the Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Fund, and Suc Khoe va Doi Song Newspaper on 25/12, Doctor Pham Thanh Viet, Deputy Director of Cho Ray Hospital, emphasized that shifting public awareness is crucial to reducing smoking. Dr. Viet noted that a single smoker can negatively impact the health of three to four individuals nearby, driving the hospital's commitment to creating a strictly smoke-free environment.

To achieve this goal, Cho Ray Hospital implemented clear enforcement regulations and installed approximately 500 no-smoking signs in visible locations. A key initiative is the deployment of security guards on bicycles, who continuously patrol the campus to directly educate and remind patients, visitors, and staff to adhere to the rules.

In addition to the security team, every medical staff member serves as a "communication advocate". Doctors and nurses actively incorporate counseling on the harms of tobacco and recommendations for quitting into patient examinations and treatment processes.

Deputy Minister Vu Manh Ha presents the award to a representative of Cho Ray Hospital. Photo: Thu Hien

Doctor Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, commented on the model, stressing that healthcare facilities are entirely smoke-free zones, encompassing both indoor and outdoor areas. He stated this is not only a legal mandate but also an ethical and cultural benchmark for the medical sector. Dr. Duc highlighted that with a network of 1,700 public hospitals, 406 private hospitals, and tens of thousands of clinics accommodating nearly 20 million patient visits each year, ensuring a smoke-free atmosphere is critical for public health protection.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha also warned that a smoke-filled treatment environment would impede patient recovery, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Ministry of Health leaders affirmed that a completely smoke-free setting not only demonstrates legal compliance but also upholds the prestige and honor of each healthcare facility.

Recognizing tobacco harm prevention as an ongoing challenge, the Ministry of Health mandates that hospitals continue to maintain steering committees and 24/7 monitoring teams for regulation enforcement. They also require addiction counseling to be a mandatory component of treatment protocols.

Le Nga