Implementing and bringing the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress to life, at the Scientific Conference on June 16, 2021 in Hanoi, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, affirmed that Party organizations, cadres and party members, especially leaders at all levels should uphold the responsibility of being proactive and self-conscious and must be able to build very specific action programs…. Accordingly, preventing the spread and controlling the epidemic situation is the top concern of the Party and State at present.
Initial successes in the fight against Covid-19 epidemic
In 2020, the international public has highly appreciated the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic in Vietnam. Even in the early days of 2021, although new cases of Covid-19 appeared in some localities, experts, scholars and international media still expressed confidence in the Party's leadership and believed that Vietnam would continue to overcome the pandemic and reap success in the "new normal state".
Three waves of the Covid-19 epidemic have taken place in Vietnam since the beginning of 2020 that have been promptly acted by the Party, State, Government, sectors and localities, and well controlled the situation in the epidemic regions to minimize the rapid spread of the new variant virus that has been threatening the community's life. The success in controlling the Covid-19 epidemic is thanks to the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, which considers "fighting the epidemic as fighting the enemy", thanks to the timely administration of the Government in accordance with Directives No.15 and No.16 on social distancing and isolation as well as combined with the strength of solidarity and consensus of the entire people, ministries, departments and branches from the central and local levels, that is the great strength of political institutions in our country.
The Times of India news of India emphasized: "The Vietnamese government has proactively protected people from the epidemic." That has aroused the national consciousness and the strength of solidarity in each Vietnamese people, promoting collective and responsible action so that the whole political system and the people uniteed to fight the pandemic.
In an interview with VOV in early 2021, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Pranay Verma highly appreciated the success of the 13th Party Congress and the leadership role of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the history and current period. In particular, in the context of a challenging year with many activities being disrupted globally due to Covid-19 epidemic, Vietnam has succeeded in responding to the complicated pandemic, bringing economic stability and positive growth. Regarding the future, the Congress identified opportunities and challenges that Vietnam would have to face and set goals for socio-economic development in the next 5-10 years, turning Vietnam into a developed country with high income by 2045.
While affirming the strength and leadership ability of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Assoc Prof.Dr. Artyom Lutkin, deputy director of the Oriental Institute of the Far Eastern Federal University of Russia, emphasized: The Communist Party of Vietnam had always been the Party of the people, for the people, always listened to the voice and mood of the people; “The Communist Party of Vietnam has promptly renewed. The maintenance of economic growth in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic is an outstanding example of Vietnam's stability under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the administration of the Vietnamese Government.”
Those are some examples that clearly show the correctness and timely response of leaders from the central to local levels, the drastic direction and effective management of the Party Committees and authorities at all levels as well as the solidarity and mutual assistance between the health sector and other ministries, sectors and with localities throughout the country; It is a centralized and unified political institution model, which is considered a unique advantage to help us react quickly to the situations and developments of the epidemic, which are becoming more and more complicated, the speed of the spread is increasing rapidly. Right in this moment, the Party's leadership role in the fight against Covid-19 is of great significance to the destiny of the state, the nation, and human life, because new virus strains are spreading rapidly and are difficult to cope with and control.
Strong determination to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic
This fourth wave of the Covid-19 epidemic is a serious threat to the situation of countries, including Vietnam, with a strong spread caused by the new Delta variant. As of the morning of July 20, there were an additional 2,155 cases of Covid-19, Ho Chi Minh City alone had an additional 1,519 cases with an increasing death rate.
Facing complicated developments of the epidemic, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the General Secretary, the President, the National Assembly, the Government, the Prime Minister, and the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 prevention and control have decided to regularly direct closely, drastically, proactively and promptly implement strong and drastic measures to prevent, combat and stop the epidemic. The consistent and throughout ideology of "fighting the epidemic as fighting the enemy", steadfastly implementing the dual goals: "effectively preventing and combating the epidemic while developing the economy, taking care of people's lives, and protecting people's health" have mobilized the participation of the entire of the Party, people and army. Right at the beginning of June 2021, the Fund for vaccines against Covid-19 was officially launched with the participation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of the Party, State and Vietnam Fatherland Front. As of July 20th, 2021, the total amount transferred to the Fund for vaccines against Covid-19 was: VND 8,185,000,000,000 (including conversion from foreign currency to VND).
Concluding at the working section on the morning of July, 19th with Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated 6 major and key tasks in the coming time, in which emphasizing that in the current context, disease prevention was priority number 1, must set the goal of taking care of and protecting people's health and lives first and foremost; “We are determined to protect Hanoi - the heart of the country”. The delegates also analyzed and clarified the difficulties and obstacles that emerged with Hanoi, especially in the process of implementing the resolution of the 13th Party Congress, and proposed tasks and solutions to help Hanoi continue to implement the dual goals, to do well in the prevention of the Covid-19 epidemic and maintain, promote production and business.
For Ho Chi Minh City, the Ministry of Health informed: By the evening of July 20, 1,803 more cases were recorded. During the meeting of the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long had in-depth instructions, ready for the "bad" scenario, dividing "2 attack shots" to be flexible in epidemic prevention and control. Besides, it would form an "anti-epidemic rear" right in the center of Ho Chi Minh City city and especially pay attention to poor neighbors in vaccination and other daily life support.
To ensure the successful implementation of the "dual goals" and greater efficiency in epidemic prevention and control as well as to take care of people's lives, the Politburo requires the good implementation of the following key tasks:
Firstly, the entire political system focus highly on the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic with the spirit of "fighting the epidemic as fighting the enemy". Being proactive in plans and scenarios in order to promptly respond to all situations; absolutely not be subjective, ignored alert, satisfied with the initial results achieved. Continue to closely direct and implement strong, drastic, flexible and effective solutions, especially in localities with high population density, many industrial parks, where are emerging large outbreaks to soon prevent, repel, and prevent the epidemic from spreading and breaking out in the community.
Secondly, strengthen leadership, direction and administration in the implementation of socio-economic development solutions, thoroughly ensuring budget savings, especially recurrent expenditures to ensure adequate resources for the epidemic prevention and control. The Government's Party Affairs Committee closely coordinated with the National Assembly Party Committee to focus on removing difficulties and obstacles related to institutions, mechanisms and policies to support, maintain and promote production and business as well as not to disrupt the production chain. Research on piloting the use of Vaccine Passport with international visitors to some tourist centers can control the epidemic. Promote solutions to consume agricultural products that are in the harvest season in localities, especially localities with complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic. Direct well control of epidemics in breeding, preventing and promptly handling phenomena of speculation and abnormal price increases. Expeditiously develop appropriate teaching, learning and examination plans for each school level in each locality; continue to promote mechanisms, policies, solutions, and charitable works to provide more effective and practical support to workers, people and businesses affected by the Covid-19 epidemic.
Thirdly, focus on directing and removing legal obstacles, mobilizing all resources, encouraging socialization, and developing a "Vaccine Fund" for the Covid-19 prevention and control; Consider allowing organizations and individuals that are eligible under State regulations to participate in the purchase and supply of Covid-19 vaccines to speed up the purchase and well organize the vaccination for people in which, focus on those on the front lines of epidemic prevention and control, in high-risk areas and workers directly producing in industrial parks; Study, consider vaccination for children; soon develop and publicize vaccination programs and plans for people in order to achieve community immunity with a specific timeline; Continue to develop mechanisms and policies to encourage, support and promote vaccine research and development activities in the country; Promote international cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, equal access to vaccine supply, especially with traditional partners and friends with potential in medical research and application in the field of vaccine production and supply.
From the practice of disease prevention and control activities, it has affirmed the Party's great strength and leadership role in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic, as well as bringing the Resolution of the Party Congress to life being the urgent goal, which need the cooperation of the entire Party, the people, and our army. More than ever, the determination of the whole political system and the people's belief in the leadership of the Party will contribute to a great strength to help overcome the pandemic, contributing to the successful implementation of the XIII National Assembly Resolution Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Nguyen Thu Trang
