Responding to World Breastfeeding Week 2025

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - On the morning of August 5, in Thanh Hoa, the National Institute of Nutrition in collaboration with World Vision International in Vietnam organized a conference to respond to World Breastfeeding Week 2025 with the theme "Prioritizing Breastfeeding: Building a Sustainable Support System".

Delegates attending the conference.

Attending the conference were Dr. Nguyen Van Chi, Deputy Director of the Department of Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health ; Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thanh Duong, Director of the National Institute of Nutrition; Dr. Do Thai Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Health of Thanh Hoa province; representatives of World Vision International in Vietnam, the World Health Organization (WHO) and experts and doctors from the Department of Maternal and Child Health - Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Nutrition, Centers for Disease Control of provinces/cities, non-governmental organizations, children and communities in World Vision International's project areas in Vietnam.

BSCKII Nguyen Van Chi, Deputy Director of the Department of Mothers and Children, Ministry of Health , delivered the opening speech of the program.

Speaking at the opening of the Conference, Dr. Nguyen Van Chi, Deputy Director of the Department of Mothers and Children, Ministry of Health emphasized: In Vietnam, with the close direction of the Government and the Ministry of Health, along with the support of international organizations, the National Target Programs and the First 1,000 Days of Life Nutrition Program have contributed to significantly improving awareness and breastfeeding practices in the community.

World Breastfeeding Week is an important annual event that reminds not only mothers but also families, communities, authorities, businesses and the whole society to create a solid system to encourage and support mothers to breastfeed. The event will be the beginning of many practical and widespread actions. Through that, together we will create a solid support system - so that every mother can give her child the best start in life, with her own milk.

Dr. Horton Jennifer, WHO Deputy Representative, speaks and shares the message of World Breastfeeding Week 2025.

Mr. Doseba Sinay, Chief Representative of World Vision International in Vietnam, shared about the organization's initiatives and cooperation activities over the years in Vietnam.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Do Thai Hoa shared that the Thanh Hoa Provincial Health Department fully agrees and commits to working together with agencies, unions, and international organizations, especially the Ministry of Health and WHO, to promote a healthy, smart, and comprehensively developed future for children.

In the recent period, implementing the direction of the Government and the professional guidance of the Ministry of Health, Thanh Hoa province has issued many intervention strategies to improve the nutritional status of children, with the goal of reducing the rate of malnutrition in all three forms: stunting, underweight and wasting. The whole province has significantly reduced the rate of stunting in children under 5 years old from 41.6% (in 1999) to 34.9% (in 2009) and to 23.5% (in 2023). The rate of underweight in children under 5 years old has decreased to 6.9% and that of wasting to 3.6%. The rate of early breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, malnutrition and infection in children have gradually improved significantly.

In addition to positive results, Thanh Hoa is still facing many challenges. Currently, the province has over one million ethnic minority people, with many economic, cultural and social difficulties. The rate of stunting in some mountainous and remote areas remains high, with some communes having an estimated rate of malnutrition of up to 30%. Micronutrient deficiencies still persist. In particular, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life has not met expectations, while the target is 35% by 2025 and 50% by 2030. These challenges require more comprehensive, strong and drastic solutions.

At the event, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Department of Health called on medical facilities to continue expanding their consulting and support activities for mothers during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, especially on breastfeeding. Media units closely coordinated to convey positive, accurate and emotional messages about the value of breast milk to all classes of people. Authorities at all levels and organizations - especially the Women's Union, Youth Union, and Farmers' Association - actively accompanied the health sector in raising public awareness, aiming to promote maternal and child health in a sustainable manner.

Committed to supporting mothers to breastfeed, in the best interests of children.

Within the framework of the conference, there were 2 discussion sessions between stakeholders to share information and experiences, practical lessons revolving around methods and ways to support and promote breastfeeding, in order to spread a strong message of prioritizing breastfeeding for the health and sustainable future of Vietnamese children.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually in more than 120 countries to promote breastfeeding and improve the health of infants worldwide. It has become an important annual event in many countries around the world, including Vietnam, to recognize the important role of breastfeeding as a solid foundation for lifelong health, development and equity. At the same time, it encourages mothers to breastfeed and improve the health of infants around the world.

Towards the goal of adequate nutrition in particular and sustainable welfare in general for children, international organizations and non-governmental organizations, including World Vision International, have been implementing many positive interventions in Vietnam. Currently, World Vision International is coordinating with local partners to implement activities in 14 provinces and cities across the country, targeting the most vulnerable children in difficult areas.

With the theme “Prioritizing Breastfeeding: Building Sustainable Support Systems”, World Breastfeeding Week 2025 highlights the need to build strong and sustainable support systems for breastfeeding mothers.

To Ha

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/huong-ung-tuan-le-the-gioi-nuoi-con-bang-sua-me-nam-2025-257003.htm