The world joins hands to help premature babies.

On November 16, 2024, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), organized a rally in Bac Ninh province to commemorate World Premature Baby Day.

On November 16, 2024, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), organized a rally in Bac Ninh province to commemorate World Premature Baby Day.

Globally, more than 13 million babies are born prematurely each year (equivalent to 1 in 10 children). In Vietnam, one in four infant deaths is due to premature birth or low birth weight.

To raise public awareness and support the reduction of premature birth risks, the Ministry of Health has launched a nationwide Action Month for Premature Babies from November 1st to November 30th, 2024, calling for coordination from ministries, sectors, and the community in caring for pregnant women, preventing premature birth, and caring for newborns.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan emphasized the remarkable achievements in reducing child mortality and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The mortality rate for children under 5 years old decreased from 22.1‰ in 2015 to 18.2‰ in 2023.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan delivered a speech at the rally in response to World Premature Baby Day.

The infant mortality rate (under 1 year old) decreased from 14.7‰ (2015) to 12.1‰ (2023). Notably, the newborn mortality rate also decreased to 9.8‰, compared to 12‰ in 2015. Many medical facilities have successfully cared for premature babies weighing less than 500 grams, helping them develop fully and bringing joy and happiness to many families.

Despite achieving positive results, Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan also highlighted three challenging issues in healthcare in Vietnam today: the healthcare gap between different regions.

The maternal and child mortality rates in mountainous, remote, and ethnic minority areas are 2-3 times higher than in urban areas; in fact, the maternal mortality rate among the H'Mông ethnic group is 7 times higher than that of the Kinh people.

Slow rate of reduction in infant mortality: Compared to the rate of reduction in mortality for children under 1 year old and under 5 years old, the rate of reduction in infant mortality has not yet met expectations.

International comparison of child mortality under 5 years old: Vietnam's child mortality rate under 5 years old remains high compared to developed countries, requiring greater efforts in intervention measures.

The Ministry of Health calls on ministries, sectors, local governments, communities, and international organizations to work together to implement comprehensive solutions to care for the health of pregnant women, prevent premature birth, and care for premature babies.

Following the rally, delegates visited and presented 100 gifts to families with premature babies being cared for at Bac Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.

To minimize the risk of premature birth and provide good care for premature babies, a comprehensive approach is needed, including enhanced screening, counseling on pregnancy-related issues, adherence to regular prenatal checkups, ensuring proper nutrition, and reducing stress.

Apply the Kangaroo method, allowing skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding from the first hours after birth. For premature and underweight babies, monitoring and care at specialized medical facilities are necessary.

Implementing comprehensive preventive and intervention measures will contribute to the goal of ensuring that all premature babies receive the best possible healthcare and develop healthily both physically and mentally.

World Premature Infant Day is celebrated annually on November 17th, initiated by the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI) in 2008.

To date, more than 100 countries worldwide, including Vietnam, have participated in various activities and events aimed at raising awareness, addressing the issue of premature birth, and improving the health of premature babies and their families.

Purple is the defining color of this day, symbolizing the sensitivity and resilience of premature babies and their families.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/the-gioi-chung-tay-vi-tre-sinh-non-d230226.html