Contaminated water (Photo: VNA)Developing a national action plan for environmental health is crucial, heard a discussion in Hanoi on July 23 hosted by the Consultancy Central of Occupational Safety Health and Environmental Technology under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga from the National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health under the Ministry of Health said the national action plan will help boost studies, predictions, warnings and prevention of risks while reducing their impact on human health and establishing a national profile on environmental health.
He called for improved legal frameworks and enforcement as well as a mechanism of cross-sector coordination to strengthen management.
Publicity campaigns should be promoted to raise community awareness of the environment, Nga said, adding that training programmes should also be conducted to ensure capable human resources for the sector in the future.
A wide range of environmental risks remain, including contaminated water, air and land; waste; food; and climate change, Nga emphasised .
Only 85 percent of rural households have access to clean water, only 40 percent of which meets the water quality standards set by the Ministry of Health.
Just 65 percent of rural households have hygienic toilet facilities, leaving nearly four million others to contaminate their environment, according to the expert.-VNA
