The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has issued a dispatch proposing the municipal/ provincial administration to work with producers and business establishments of medical equipment to ensure the supply of medical equipment to serve the COVID-19 prevention and control.

These bodies must not sell medical equipment to individuals who are speculating to make a hefty profit.

In reality, in the face of the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for medical equipment such as SARS-CoV-2 rapid test kits, oxygen saturation measurement devices is soaring.

This problem is leading to a shortage of supply, speculation, hoarding or taking advantage of the increased public demand to increase the selling price of medical equipment unreasonably.

Therefore, the above-mentioned dispatch aims to handle uncontrollable sales of test kits and medical devices.

Any hoarding healthcare equipment for profit will suffer from a strict penalty.

In Da Nang, functional local agencies are increasing surprise inspection visits to local pharmacies to check the supply, circulation and trading of goods, biological materials and medicines here and strictly handling acts of speculation and raising commodity prices.

“We also recommend that people choose to buy COVID-19 test kits at reputable business stores to ensure their benefits. My agency will continue to strengthen supervision and handle violations (if any) at stores dealing in medical equipment and supplies”, said Mr. Tran Phuoc Tri, the Acting Director of the Da Nang Market Management Bureau.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG, QUYNH TRANG – Translating by A.THU