Assoc.Prof. Nguyen Van Chuong-Director of IMPE Quy Nhon deliverd the evaluation report of IMPE Quy Nhon during forty-years? development

             After the introduction of repersentatives to the ceremony, Assoc.Prof. Nguyen Van Chuong-Director of IMPE Quy Nhon deliverd the evaluation report of IMPE Quy Nhon during forty-years' development. The report pointed out that the Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology Quy Nhon (IMPE-QN) is a constituent body belonging to the Ministry of Health, which grew out of the Malaria Research Station of Central Vietnam (1968). In the context of the Resistance War against America, Central Vietnam with Truong Son road as the lifeline transportation route to connect the North with the South, was the target of destroys by the enemy. Meanwhile, malaria epidemics raged drastically and affected the fighting capabilities and the production activities of the troops and people; thus the Malaria Research Station in the middle area of Central Vietnam was set up in 1968. With the missions of protecting the country and caring for the public health, the staff of Malaria Research Station overcame difficulties and hardship of the fierce war to control malaria epidemics, to protect health for millions of people and soldiers in the battlefields of Zone V, and then contributed significantly to the liberation of South Vietnam and regaining national unification.

After the South was completely liberated, the Sub-Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology Quy Nhon was established from Malaria Research Station in Central Vietnam o­n 8 March 1977 to respond the development of country in new historical period. Because of the consequences of the War and the of socio-economic difficulties, malaria drastically surged in the region; especially within two years, 58 outbreaks occurred with 699,000 malaria cases and 3,976 deaths. Even worse, the returning malaria during 1991-1992 was marked with dozens of malaria outbreaks, hundreds of thousands of malaria cases, and thousands of deaths; resulting in poor health outcomes and even lives of people. In this period, the Sub-Institute deployed specialized and technical measures o­n malaria control to reduce malaria outbreaks, morbidity, and deaths. Moreover, the staff of the Sub-Institute worked indefatigably to contain the outbreaks and alleviate the damages by malaria for the people of Central Vietnam, contributing to the socio-economic development in the country.

Pursuant to the Decision No. 230/1998/QD-TTg dated 30 November 1998 of the Prime Minister o­n reshuffling research institutes and deploying the application of science and technology, the Sub-Institute of Malariology, Entomology and Parasitology Quy Nhon was renamed the Institute of Malariology, Entomology and Parasitology Quy Nhon (IMPE-QN) and is responsible of conducting scientific research, directing technical measures for lower levels and training for medical staff o­n malaria, parasitic and vector-borne diseases and control measures in 15 provinces of Central Vietnam. Although malaria situation of the whole country tended to decline drastically, the burden of malaria control still concentrated in the coastal and west-highland provinces of Central Vietnam, with about 50% of morbidity, 70-80% of parasite infection rate, 75-83% of severe and complicated malaria, and 72-86% of mortality, against the whole country?s figures. High malaria infections were mainly due to low awareness of the people at malaria-endemic areas; coupled with frequent disasters and floods o­n the large scale annually; resulting in high risks of increased malaria infection and all-time occurrence of malaria outbreaks. The IMPE-QN deployed research activities and provided guidelines for appropriate control measures to decrease malaria indexes in light of proposed targets. In addition, the Institute implemented timely surveillance and detection of heminths (fascioliasis, opisthorchiasis, taeniasis, toxocariasis, strongiloidiasis, gnathostomiasis, etc.) and other vector-borne diseases (dengue fever), contributing to taking care and protecting people's health.

Since 2012, the Institute Communist Party Committee and the directorate have provided intensive direction o­n epidemiological surveillance for malaria control in hot spots and those at risk of malaria outbreak occurrence. Every year, the scientific studies of the Institute (approximate 18-20 studies annually) generally aim at dealing real-life and urgent issues. In addition, the annual plans for activities of departments are discussed in detail and deployed properly. Also, members of the directorate pay regular visits to the grass-roots levels to grasp the actual malaria situation then to provide detailed directions. Malaria control activities are targeted mainly at mobile and migrant population, cross-border people and areas at risk of resistance. Moreover, attention is always paid o­n the activities of information, education and communication, which are flexible depending o­n each typical area. The development of the microscopic network is considered important to assist the physicians in terms of accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment, then to achieve malaria elimination in the future. Eventually, the outstanding results of malaria control in Central Vietnam, characterized by decreased malaria morbidity and mortality (formerly in dozens of deaths, now in units) and no outbreaks in consecutive years, could not be assured without the activities and active directions of the Institute leadership together with the great efforts of staff from various departments, the high resolutions of the health sector in 15 regional provinces, the guidelines and supports from the Ministry of Health and its affiliates, the projects from inland and foreign countries, and the military health forces.

Apart from research into malaria control, the Institute studies o­n controlling other parasitic and vector-borne diseases are intensified in Central Vietnam. Various IMPE-level and ministry-level studies o­n fascioliasis, gnasthostomiasis, toxocariasis are practically applied to diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. The IMPE-QN as an entity of the preventive medicine system is permitted by the Ministry of Health to operate the specialized clinic, which performs effectively and is renown both inland and overseas. With the investment of modern equipment from the Ministry of Health (32-parameter hemolyzer, ELISA Immuno Explorer, Luminometer, colour ultrasound, colour duplex ultrasonography machine, digital X-ray system, gastroscopic machine, and molecular-biological based diagnostic equipment), well-experienced and highly-skilled staff, and ISO accredited laboratories, everyday the IMPE Clinic admits from 300-500 patients from inland and overseas for diagnosis and treatment. This can not o­nly help to ease the pressure of patient intakes from hospitals, but also contribute to protecting people's health and improve the living standards for the staff-members of the Institute.

The construction of the working facilities is always of great interests from the Institute Communist Party Committee and Directorate. High agreements between the directorate and the staff-members of the Institute and the support from the Ministry of Health have resulted in a newly-constructed 7-storey building with its elegant and modern appearance, facilitating favourable conditions for staff to work, study, and be ready to provide help against epidemic diseases in the region.

As it puts a great importance in training, the Institute has been maintaining its training activities for 38 courses of approximate 2,000 intermediate-level medical technicians presently working throughout the countrywide health network. Since 2014, the Institute was allowed by the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Health to provide training of multi-disciplinary laboratory technicians for 150 students annually. In addition, the Institute has been working with the Hanoi Medical University, the Vietnam Military Medical University, Hai Phong Medical Univeristy, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tay Nguyen Univerisy, and the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology for jointly training for post-graduate students. Annually, the Institute sends staff to education institutions both inland and overseas for their upgrading skills and knowledge, especially those subject to post-graduate education.

Just as especially important are the core activities of the Institute Communist Party Committee, including political ideological leadership, party development, and motivation of the Institute unity. Comprising more than 90 members, the Institute Communist Party Committee always maintains good solidarity among Party affiliates and with other staff-members of the Institute, making it a an immaculate and strong party committee over years.

The Institute mass organizations (trade union, women association, and Ho Chi Minh youth Union) also receive good support and help from the Directorate. As a result, various activities have been carried out, including campaigns of patriotic emulation, music performance, sports competition, scientific research, foreign language learning, and charity activities. Above all, staff's income raising is put at the top priority of the Directorate, as an extra 1.6-1.8 times of their monthly basic salary is added to their incomes, helping to keep their mind o­n work. Finally, the Institute participates in fund-raising activities organized by central and local charity associations; and is taking care for o­ne Vietnamese Heroic Mother living at Quang Trung Ward, Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh province.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long-Deputy Minister of Health giving his speech and awarding 1st Garde Labor Medal and the emulation flag of the Ministry of Health to the Institute leadership

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Thanh, Vice-Chairman of People's Committee of Binh Dinh Province giving his speech and awarding the certificate of merit to the Institute leadership.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long-Deputy Minister of Health awarding 2nd Grade Labor Medal to Assoc.Prof. Nguyen Van Chuong

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long-Deputy Minister of Health offering flowers to Assoc.Prof. Ho Van Hoang-Vice Director

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long-Deputy Minister of Health offering flowers to the Outstanding Physicians of the Institute

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long-Deputy Minister of Health awarding the Certificates of Merit of the Government to the Institute staff

Vietnam General Confederation of Labour awarding Flag of Emulation to the Institute Trade Union

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long-Deputy Minister of Health; Mr. Nguyen Tuan Thanh-Vice Chairman of People's Committee of Binh Dinh Province and other delegates highly appreciated the achievements and development of the Institute. The Institute deserves a Heroic Unit in the Innovation Era, which always takes the initiative in all areas: scientific research, training, application of scientific achievements in medical examination and treatment; organization of many patriotic emulation movements; solid unity in the whole unit. In this solemn ceremony, the Institute was honourably awarded 1^st Garde Labor Medal and the emulation flag of the Ministry of Health by Vice-Minister of Health, certificate of merit of the People's Committee of Binh Dinh Province by Mr. Nguyen Tuan Thanh. Four individuals were confered People's Physicians and Outstanding Physicians; Associate Professor Nguyen Van Chuong was honored to receive 2^nd Grade Labor Medal; some individuals were awarded the Certificate of Merit of the Prime Minister and Vietnam General Confederation of Labour.

On behalf of the Institute staff, Assoc.Prof. Nguyen Van Chuong expressed thanks to all the delegates who attended and shared the joy with the Institute o­n this great day.

The Institute leadership  taking photo with with the delegates attending the 40th anniversary of the Institute