Bloomberg Philanthropies continue to accompany Vietnam to expand support for children to prevent new alcohol and tobacco

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc hopes that Bloomberg Philanthropies USA will join the Ministry of Health and relevant ministries and branches in perfecting the system of policies and laws on injury prevention and child drowning prevention;

On the afternoon of November 3, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Health , Dr. Nguyen Tri Thuc, Deputy Minister of Health, received and worked with the delegation of Bloomberg Charitable Foundation USA led by Ms. Kelly Lee Larson, Director of the Injury Prevention Program of Bloomberg Charitable Foundation.

Also working were representatives of the Department of Mothers and Children, Department of International Cooperation.

At the meeting and working session with the Bloomberg Charity Foundation delegation, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc expressed his sincere thanks to the Bloomberg Charity Foundation and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids for accompanying Vietnam and ministries and sectors in working on children's issues over the past 7 years.

Dr. Nguyen Tri Thuc, Deputy Minister of Health.

The Deputy Minister informed that over the years, Vietnam has been one of the countries recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for many achievements in preventing and combating child drowning thanks to effective interventions from government programs and policies with support from international organizations, including the Bloomberg Charitable Foundation, which has contributed to reducing the rate of child drowning.

The Ministry of Health has strengthened communication, education, and dissemination of knowledge and skills on child drowning prevention for parents, children, students, and the community; disseminated guidance documents and communication products to each person, household, and school.

Director of the Bloomberg Philanthropies' Injury Prevention Program Kelly Larson thanked Deputy Minister Nguyen Tri Thuc for taking the time to receive the delegation.

Ms. Kelly Lee Larson, Director of Injury Prevention Program, Bloomberg Philanthropies, USA, spoke.

Ms. Kelly Larson said that the mission of Bloomberg Philanthropies is to save lives and ensure a better life for the greatest number of people around the world. Bloomberg Philanthropies is pleased and proud to cooperate and support the Government of Vietnam in preventing and combating injuries, road traffic safety and child drowning.

Ms. Kelly Larson was impressed and appreciated the active participation of the Ministry of Health and other ministries and branches, and the commitment of localities in Vietnam in mobilizing resources to build effective models for preventing and combating child drowning.

Thanks to that, more than 270,000 children have learned swimming and water safety skills for free, double the original target.

The program has reached and supported 12 provinces and cities, increasing compared to the plan and in these 12 localities, the rate of child drowning accidents has decreased by 16%.

At the same time, many localities such as Dong Thap and Nghe An joined hands to support the construction of swimming pools, training funds, and propaganda to attract children to participate in the courses.

The Ministry of Education and Training has officially included swimming teaching in the primary school curriculum.

Reception scene.

Ms. Kelly Larson hopes that the Ministry of Health will continue to implement activities in the Child Injury and Drowning Prevention Program; expand the area and replicate effective intervention models in child drowning prevention, with the ultimate goal of protecting Vietnamese children.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Tri Thuc expressed special concern for the care, protection and education of children, especially the current situation of child accidents related to drowning, burns, traffic accident injuries and choking on foreign objects.

Therefore, the Deputy Minister hopes that Ms. Kelly Larson personally as well as the Bloomberg Philanthropies USA will continue to pay attention to drowning prevention and further other injury accidents such as traffic accident prevention for children.

At the same time, support Vietnam to continue perfecting the system of policies and laws on injury prevention and child drowning prevention; Increase the sharing of information, knowledge, experience, and effective child drowning prevention models in countries around the world (through forums and conferences).

In many rural and mountainous areas, life skills education for children has not been given due attention, accidents often occur during the summer holidays. It is recommended that the Fund develop a network of volunteers in local associations, unions and social organizations to expand swimming classes and life skills training.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc and Ms. Kelly Larson and delegates at the reception.

The Deputy Minister of Health proposed that the Fund consider expanding support for children to prevent addictive substances such as: Preventing the harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol, beer, and preventing new tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Tri Thuc affirmed that the Ministry of Health is committed to always accompanying, coordinating, and supporting effectively and transparently all activities of the Fund for Social Security, within the scope of the law, towards protecting, caring for, and educating children, because: "Strengthening risk management will reduce the handling of consequences".

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/quy-tu-thien-bloomberg-tiep-tuc-dong-hanh-cung-viet-nam-mo-rong-ho-tro-tre-em-phong-ngua-ruou-bia-thuoc-la-moi-169251104085714544.htm