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The communication activities enhance the community’s awareness and support. Photo T.H |
The New Zealand Government-sponsored project “maternal and child health in Binh Dinh” (VIE 03-P20) has been implemented for five years (2004-08). It contributed to sustainably improve the maternal and child living standard.
Enhance the community’s awareness and support
The New Zealand Government expected the project worth US$3 million to be the largest-scaled typical one in the Asia-Pacific region.
12 subcommittees including representatives of provincial bodies were set up, aiming to change the behavior and improve the quality of maternal and child health care by strengthening the mobilisation in the community.
All activities have brought about the change in programs on population, the reproductive health care for women, accident and injury prevention, domestic violence prevention, gender equality, and the reduction of discrimination against HIV/AIDS-infected people.
Since 2007, the project has targeted at women, children, and juveniles who live in far and mountainous areas. The communication activities were carried out under the mutual support of 12 subcommittees, meeting the demand of ethnic minority people.
Statistics released by the research and training center for community development (RTCCD) showed that communication activities considerably contributed to the infrastructure, creating favorable conditions for the health sector to improve the maternal and child health care.
More chances for health services
After five years, the project has positively changed the health sector. With training courses, the maternal and child health care was dramatically improved, particularly in far and remote areas.
Mrs. Christine Briasco, an UNFPA member: The provincial Health Department and bodies have brought the health services to beneficiaries. People were provided with more information and become more confident in maternal and child health care.
RTCCD director Tran Tuan: The project has improved the quality of maternal and child health care, creating the systematic management in the health sector. |
Synchronously, the medical equipment, infrastructure, and training courses for the medical staff were improved under the national standard.
In mountainous areas, the medical equipment was provided for each locality to meet their specific demands. 100% of midwives were trained to be suitable to the practice of reproductive health care of ethnic minority groups.
“The project improved the qualification of the medical staff, helping all mothers-to-be give birth safely,” said doctor Nguyen Van Ngo, director of Van Canh District Health Center.
Thanks to the project, the information system and management have become more convenient. Many models of consultancy centers and safe community for accident and injury prevention were highly appreciated.
Towards the sustainability
The main challenge of the project was the sustainability, according to Vice Director of provincial Health Department Le Quang Hung. Health propagandists haven’t been well trained. The expenditure for health models hasn’t been well invested. The lack of obstetricians in hospitals and midwives in health center is another big obstacle for the maternal and child health care.
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