Improving the quality of ethnic minority population

Vo Nhai Medical Center staff examine ethnic minority patients receiving inpatient treatment at the Center.

On a chilly morning in Trung Son hamlet, Than Sa commune, Ms. Duong Thi Nhiem, holding her baby, talked about the changes in her family: In the past, pregnant women rarely went to the doctor, giving birth at home was normal. But now everyone knows that they have to go for regular check-ups and giving birth at a health station is safer.

This change is thanks to the practical impacts of Project 7 - "Taking care of people's health, improving the physical condition and stature of ethnic minorities; preventing and combating child malnutrition", implemented by Thai Nguyen province since 2021. One of the focuses of the Project is the model "Improving community-based child care and feeding practices", with special attention to the first 1,000 days of life - the golden period for children's development.

Dr. Ha Van Ra, Director of Vo Nhai Medical Center, said that Project 7 not only helps the medical team improve their capacity to provide advice on nutrition and reproductive health, but more importantly, it creates a change in people's awareness. They are more proactive and have more trust in grassroots health care.

That change is reflected in the numbers: The rate of underweight malnourished children in ethnic minority and mountainous areas across the province has decreased from 15.1% in 2022 to 9.9%. To date, the province has built 48 models of nutritional care for the first 1,000 days of life in communes in ethnic minority areas...

To achieve that result, Thai Nguyen has implemented systematic communication and training activities, specifically: Organizing over 50 communication sessions attracting nearly 4,000 participants; 12 provincial training courses to help nearly 730 health workers improve their skills in community health care. Over 130 communication sessions on nutrition, food processing instructions, and maternal and child care have reached remote villages, forming a sustainable support network within the community.

Project 7 has created a clear change in health care for ethnic minorities and mountainous areas. In the photo, people of Dai Tu commune are receiving health care with modern equipment.

Project 7 has created a clear change in health care for ethnic minorities and mountainous areas. In the photo: People of Dai Tu commune receive health care with modern equipment.

To date, the total budget for Project 7 has reached over 79 billion VND, which has been reasonably allocated to three pillars: Improving population quality, health care and nutrition for mothers and children, and improving the stature and physical strength of ethnic minorities.

Thanks to the right investment, 99% of pregnant women in disadvantaged areas are supplemented with multiple micronutrients from the time of pregnancy discovery until birth; 98.5% of women give birth at a medical facility or with the support of medical staff, helping to minimize risks during childbirth.

In particular, 100% of malnourished children received timely nutrition advice and support, leaving no child behind. The project also focuses on health care for the elderly, with 780 people aged 80 and over receiving free medical examinations, helping to detect diseases early for timely treatment.

In parallel, 25 level I and II specialists were trained and deployed to mountainous districts, enhancing the capacity of the grassroots health system. Thousands of publications on prevention and control of thalassemia, child marriage and consanguineous marriage were published, contributing to raising public awareness of health and population.

Project 7 has created a clear change in health care in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. People not only have access to better health services but also form new habits and awareness about health, population and quality of life...

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202511/nang-cao-chat-luong-dan-so-vung-dan-toc-thieu-so-ee965c4/