It is proposed that ambulance drivers must also provide first aid

The proposal was raised by Associate Professor, Dr. Tang Chi Thuong, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, at the Ministry of Health’s working session on out-of-hospital emergency work, on August 3. Accordingly, the extra-hospital emergency services need to be standardized in a professional manner, and the manpower on ambulances must be able to take on many roles.

“In many countries, ambulance drivers are trained to participate in emergency treatment, not separate drivers and paramedics like Vietnam,” he said.

According to the head of Ho Chi Minh City’s health sector, a driver just sitting behind the wheel while the medical team treats the patient is a waste of resources, especially in the first minutes that determine the patient’s survival. When properly trained, drivers can participate in chest compressions, support resuscitation, safely transport patients or prepare emergency equipment, helping to increase the efficiency of treatment at the scene.

In order to complete the legal framework for out-of-hospital emergency care, the city also proposed to issue a circular regulating out-of-hospital emergency activities; Update standards for ambulances such as two-wheeled vehicles, specialized vehicles for first responders, and ambulance boats; Clearly distinguish emergency ambulances from vehicles that only transport patients to avoid abuse of sirens and priority lights.

Mr. Thuong also proposed that every hospital with a standard emergency department must participate in the out-of-hospital emergency network, instead of just encouraging and calling for it as currently.

Doctor CK2 Nguyen Duy Long, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Emergency Center 115, said the city currently has 73 satellite stations covering the entire area after expanding the network to Binh Duong and Ba Ria – Vung Tau. Ho Chi Minh City is developing a professional outside-hospital emergency system with many types of vehicles such as ambulance boats serving Thanh An island commune, air ambulance connecting to Military Hospital 175, and building a training program specifically for ambulance drivers.

“The emergency force on the scene is still small, so drivers need to be trained to participate in first aid support and ensure safety for patients during transportation,” Mr. Long said.

In addition to human resources, Ho Chi Minh City also proposed a financial mechanism for health insurance to pay for out-of-hospital emergency services, issued separate standards for each type of ambulance, and developed legal regulations to protect people participating in first aid, similar to the Law on Ambulance. Good Samaritan In many countries, trained people are allowed to use AEDs in the community.

Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, assessed that Ho Chi Minh City is the locality with the best developed out-of-hospital emergency system in the country, with many practical models that can be replicated. The Ministry of Health plans to assign Ho Chi Minh City as the focal point for training emergency operators for the southern region from 2027.

National out-of-hospital emergency projectwas submitted to the Government by the Ministry of Health at the end of July, aiming to form 34 emergency centers across the country, build a network of connections between medical facilities and formally train paramedics (out-of-hospital emergency specialists). The switchboard system will focus on a single contact point: 113 jointly operated by the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Health is responsible for coordinating the medical network after receiving information from this switchboard.

Speaking in conclusion, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan highly appreciated the experiences shared by Ho Chi Minh City in building an out-of-hospital emergency network, especially the model of mobilizing hospitals to participate in the 115 system.

“The out-of-hospital emergency project is important in reducing deaths, reducing disability and improving people’s ability to access emergency care,” the Deputy Minister said. The Ministry of Health will soon complete the financial mechanism, equipment standards, professional regulations and guiding circulars to create a unified legal corridor for localities to deploy the nationwide emergency hospital network.