At the meeting, representatives of PATH Organization (USA) - the project implementation unit - said that with the aim of strengthening the capacity of provincial/city units in the field of veterinary and preventive medicine to detect and respond to emerging infectious disease threats, USAID plans to support Vietnam to implement the USAID Project to strengthen local capacity in disease prevention, surveillance and response in 7 provinces and cities, including Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Nghe An, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, An Giang and Dong Nai. The project will be implemented for a period of 5 years, starting from September 2024.

The objectives of the project include: Strengthening capacity to prevent and reduce emerging diseases and the risk of zoonotic disease transmission; strengthening the Surveillance System for zoonotic diseases and the Multi-sectoral Disease Information System; strengthening communication capacity to reduce risks and mobilizing community engagement in preparedness and response to emerging diseases.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc He, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City, discussed project-related issues with relevant parties at the meeting.

In this project, PATH - a non-profit organization working globally for health equity - was selected as the main project implementer. PATH will coordinate with local veterinary and health departments and partners to implement the project.

At the meeting, in addition to providing necessary information related to the project, PATH representatives would like to discuss the project implementation mechanism, focal point, coordination, and the role of each agency of Can Tho city in the One Health approach; discuss the coordination mechanism, the role of stakeholders in the project implementation and appoint a focal point to coordinate with PATH to implement the project approval procedures...

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc He, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City - thanked USAID and PATH for choosing Can Tho city as one of 7 localities to participate in the project, and affirmed that Can Tho city is ready to participate in the project in the best way.

View of the meeting.

In order for the project to be implemented as soon as possible and bring the highest efficiency, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc He directed the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Health, Information and Communications to closely connect with the project coordination board to support and provide necessary information for the development of the project plan, and each unit appointed a focal point to directly participate in the project. In addition, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment must also actively support issues related to the environment, consult and advise city leaders on issues related to their fields of responsibility. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc He also assigned the City People's Committee Office to directly monitor departments and branches in the process of implementing the next steps of the project.