xIn Son La city, heavy rains induced widespread flooding. By now, three villages in Chieng Den and Chieng Xom communes, and Chieng An ward are still heavily flooded. The city medical centre has found a number of cases of skin diseases, such as dermatitis and allergies. The centre has coordinated with the Leprosy and Dermatology Hospital to provide free medical check-ups and medicines to locals. Since the afternoon of June 25, it has sent personnel to localities to spray disinfectants, advise residents to clear sewers, remove items and scraps that cause water stagnation, and guide them to use clean water, and proactively prevent and fight epidemics.

In Thuan Chau district, along with overcoming the consequences of floods, the district has issued an official dispatch on disease prevent and control, medical examination and treatment and environmental sanitation after floods, which should be done based on the flood situation.

The Thuan Chau district medical centre has provided chloramine B to help flooded communes with environmental treatment, especially domestic water treatment, sent personnel to spray disinfectants in all residential areas to prevent diseases, and stepped up communications on environmental sanitation and disinfection of water sources with chemicals provided by the health sector to prevent diseases and protect public health.

The health sector has proactively coordinated with the People's Committees of districts and Son La city and agencies to take solutions to prevent and control diseases, and ensure medical examination and treatment and environmental sanitation after floods. It has sent personnel to flood-hit localities to offer first aid and medical treatment to victims. At the same time, it has strengthened disease surveillance, detected and handled cases of diseases promptly, and prevented them from spreading, contributing to protecting locals’ health and stabilising their lives.

According to the Northwest Regional Hydrometeorological Station, from the evening of July 28 to around August 1, Son La province would experience more rains and thunderstorms, even downpours in some places with a common rainfall of 70-200mm, even over 300mm in some areas. Given this, the health sector has directed its units to follow the motto "four on the spot" (prevent proactively - respond promptly - overcome urgently, effectively). The units were also asked to seriously implement on-duty and emergency regulations, ensuring round-the-clock contact in case of alarm level 2 or higher.

The centres for disease control, medical centres of districts and Son La city, and commune and ward health stations have strengthened inspections and supervisions, and hygiene and disease prevention and control in the community, and taken timely solutions to prevent diseases from spreading. Medical facilities have been on-duty around the clock and stayed ready to admit natural disaster victims and provide them with first aid. Mobile emergency teams have been on standby, and ready to provide support when needed. Environmental sanitation measures have been rolled out quickly, while human resources, drugs and equipment ready for medical check-up and treatment.

To prevent diseases from spreading, the health sector has intensified supervisions and inspections in flood-affected areas to be ready to handle possible disease cases, and protect public health./.