Urgent action needed to close the gap in healthcare services.

Today, November 17th, the whole world is once again celebrating World Prematurity Day, aiming to raise awareness about premature babies and the challenges they face.

With the theme “ More than 13 million premature babies are born each year. Ensuring that every premature baby receives the best possible healthcare! ”, this year’s World Premature Baby Day highlights the significant disparities in healthcare globally and calls for ensuring access to high-quality care for premature babies, regardless of where and under what circumstances they are born.

Delegates attending the event commemorating World Premature Baby Day 2024 in Bac Ninh on November 16. (Source: UNICEF)

Premature birth remains the leading cause of death in children under 5 years old, and many premature babies, even if saved, suffer lifelong disabilities due to inadequate medical care. An estimated 13.4 million premature babies are born worldwide each year. In Vietnam, premature births account for approximately 45% of all infant deaths.

The theme of World Premature Baby Day 2024 is an urgent call to action to bridge the gap in healthcare services and promote improved care for mothers and newborns worldwide.

Together with its partners, UNICEF Vietnam is working to mobilize families, health professionals, and policymakers to participate in a global dialogue on improving the effectiveness of healthcare for premature infants.

An estimated 13.4 million premature babies are born worldwide each year. In Vietnam, premature births account for approximately 45% of all infant deaths.

On November 16th, with the support of Kimberly-Clark, UNICEF, the Ministry of Health, and Bac Ninh province organized a special event in Bac Ninh province to promote increased access to high-quality care services for newborns, especially low-birth-weight and premature babies.

Silvia Danailov, Head of UNICEF Vietnam, speaks at the event. (Source: UNICEF)

Speaking at the event, Ms. Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam, affirmed "the need to reduce disparities in access to healthcare. Premature babies face many significant challenges, so timely and equitable access to quality healthcare services is crucial to improving their survival and ensuring their long-term health and well-being."

She emphasized, "As we celebrate the resilience of premature babies and their families, we also remember those premature babies who have died from preventable complications, once again underscoring the urgency of the work we are doing."

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan speaks at the event. (Source: UNICEF)

In his call to action, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan stated that reducing the rate of premature births and low birth weight, thereby reducing infant mortality rates, requires a unified approach. This requires not only the efforts of the health sector but also cooperation from multiple ministries, local governments, and the community as a whole.

The Ministry of Health leaders also emphasized the important role of raising awareness among expectant mothers and the support of international and domestic organizations, as well as the need to focus on implementing solutions to improve prenatal care, prevent premature birth, and ensure comprehensive treatment for premature infants.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hanh-dong-khan-cap-thu-hep-khoang-cach-trong-dich-vu-cham-soc-y-te-294006.html