Optimizing Public Health Preparedness for Highly Infectious Diseases in Central Vietnam

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Diagnostic Testing

Background:

• Limited availability of infectious disease diagnostic tests in primary care settings in Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam.
• Existing healthcare facilities, including community health centers and hospitals, face challenges in diagnostic capabilities for various infectious diseases.
• The need for enhanced public health preparedness against emerging infectious disease threats is evident.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the need for and availability of point-of-care testing (POCT) for infectious diseases.
• To recommend POCT strategies and Spatial Care Paths (SCPs) to bolster public health preparedness.
• To address diagnostic gaps in Thua Thien Hue Province, Central Vietnam.

Main Methods:

• Field surveys conducted in community health centers, district hospitals, and a provincial hospital in Thua Thien Hue Province.
• Utilized survey questionnaires in English and Vietnamese to assess diagnostic testing capabilities.
• Interviewed medical professionals across different healthcare tiers.

Main Results:

• A significant lack of infectious disease tests was observed in community health centers (86%).
• Malaria diagnostic tests were available in only one community health center; microbiology labs were inadequate across all CHCs.
• District hospitals had limited tests for tuberculosis, syphilis, and cultures; the provincial hospital lacked preparedness for high-consequence infectious diseases.
• COVID-19 rapid antigen tests were widely available, but RT-PCR testing was restricted to higher-tier facilities.

Conclusions:

• Infectious disease diagnostic testing requires substantial improvement, particularly in primary care settings.
• The widespread supply of point-of-care tests near patients' homes is essential for early detection.
• Implementing effective POCT strategies is crucial for mitigating the spread of infectious diseases, including new COVID-19 variants and other emerging threats.