Da Nang has set up COVID-19 helplines to respond to a range of difficult issues that have risen during the ongoing pandemic. The COVID-19 helpline project was initially purposed as a means to help local residents isolate themselves effectively and get tested, in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the city.

A health care worker administering a COVID-19 vaccine to a man in mask in Ngu Hanh Son District. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Over the past 2 years, local residents have called 0905108844 for information about COVID-19, and this helpline which was set up by the Da Nang Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) operates 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week.

Doctor Ton That Thanh, the Director of the Da Nang CDC said that the operation frequency of Da Nang CDC’s helpline has depended on specific circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic in the city. In particular, the Da Nang CDC’s helpline received hundreds of calls every day from local people for information about the city's COVID-19 guidelines, health delaration related to COVID-19 close contacts, and COVID-19 regulations for arriving and leaving the city while Da Nang became the epicenter for COVID-19 in Viet Nam in August 2020, remarked Doctor Thanh.

In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic took over the country, and Da Nang adopted unprecedented measures to tackle the virus. At that time, the Da Nang CDC’s helpline played a vital role in providing information about the city’s COVID-19 guidelines and policies that were constantly changing in an effort to suppress the virus.

Currently, the helplines have evolved to support residents with the vaccination drive, as well as aspects that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. These include, government support schemes, health support for COVID-19 patients and recoveries, and COVID-19 vaccination record updates.

Coronavirus is less complicated and dangerous than it was before as local people have got vaccinated against COVID-19 to help them reduce disease severity and serious complications. Currently, Da Nang CDC’s helpline receives daily about 100 calls to find the consultations for coronavirus-related queries.

Since 2020, the Da Nang Department of Health has set up more helplines at district-level medical centers in an attempt to provide health advisory and consulting for local residents during the COVID-19 crisis.

According to Doctor Truong Van Trinh, the Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Health, the Ministry of Health has introduced its helpline number at 1900 9095 to provide free consultancy services to address health protection measures during the ongoing pandemic since February 2, 2020. The helpline also makes it easier for people access any local authority help they may need.

Over the past two years, Da Nang’s COVID-19 helplines have proved effective in answering coronavirus-related queries, and promoting strict compliance with the city’s COVID-19 regulations among local residents to protect themselves and others as well as prevent the spread of the virus.

There are district-specific helpline numbers where an individual can call to seek health and safety advice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The helpline numbers can also be used to seek information about COVID-19 vaccinations.

Here you can find helplines which deal with COVID-19 vaccination clinical incidents and enquiries

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – Translating by H.L