Mekong Delta: Minimize the number of children born with birth defects and genetic diseases

Hundreds of managers, scientists and leading medical experts attended the Workshop - Photo: VGP/LS

The workshop was attended by managers, experts, and leading doctors nationwide and in the Mekong Delta region. This is an annual activity for units and hospitals to share scientific research information and new techniques developed by leading experts.

The workshop consisted of 3 sessions with 16 research topics presented by leading medical experts. The participation of experts not only provided opportunities to update knowledge and advanced techniques, but also facilitated the exchange of in-depth experiences, contributing to improving the quality of prenatal and neonatal screening, diagnosis and treatment in the Mekong Delta region, aiming to minimize the rate of children born with congenital malformations and genetic diseases.

According to Director of Can Tho City Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Nguyen Thuy Thuy Ai, over the past 10 years, Can Tho City Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital has performed very well the task of prenatal and neonatal screening and diagnosis for the Mekong Delta region; at the same time, prenatal and neonatal screening for diseases through testing techniques, ultrasound, amniocentesis... to meet the needs of people in the Mekong Delta region, contributing to the overall achievements of the work of caring for, protecting people's health and population work of the country.

The Can Tho Center for Prenatal and Neonatal Screening and Diagnosis has been assigned by the Ministry of Health to be in charge of prenatal and neonatal screening and diagnosis in 12 provinces in the Mekong Delta. Up to now, the Center has continuously expanded its network, trained and improved professional capacity for units, applied advanced techniques for screening and diagnosis, helping to detect early and promptly intervene in thousands of cases of congenital malformations.

Director of the Department of Population (Ministry of Health) Le Thanh Dung speaks at the Workshop - Photo: VGP/LS

Speaking at the workshop, Director of the Department of Population (Ministry of Health) Le Thanh Dung emphasized: Prenatal and newborn screening is an extremely important first step for comprehensive development. Early detection of abnormalities and timely interventions will reduce risks affecting the health and development of young children.

Accordingly, the Prenatal and Newborn Screening Program was assigned by the Ministry of Health to the General Department of Population and Family Planning to begin implementation in 2007 with the goal of screening, detecting and early intervention of fetal malformations and deformities through prenatal screening, along with early detection and treatment of genetic metabolic diseases through newborn screening.

The project has brought about many important results with the construction of 7 prenatal and neonatal screening and diagnosis centers, including 5 regional centers, establishing a prenatal and neonatal screening network from the central to the commune level in 63 provinces/cities, initially meeting the needs for prenatal and neonatal screening and diagnosis.

For the Mekong Delta region, the Director of the Department of Population believes that the application of modern medical technology will open up new opportunities, not only helping to reduce time and costs but also increasing the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment.

On that basis, Mr. Le Thanh Dung proposed that the health sector of the Mekong Delta provinces continue to expand screening, diagnosis, and treatment of a number of prenatal and neonatal diseases and disabilities by 2030 according to Decision No. 1999/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister; urge the implementation of support for subjects using the basic service package; ensure that priority subjects specified in Decision 1999/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister on guiding subjects using the prenatal and neonatal screening service package.

In particular, synchronously carry out 8 assigned tasks according to the decision of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Health on technical guidance in prenatal and neonatal screening, diagnosis and treatment.

Collectives and individuals receive awards for prenatal and postnatal screening and diagnosis - Photo: VGP/LS

At the workshop, Can Tho Center for Prenatal and Neonatal Screening and Diagnosis also shared its performance results in 2024 and orientations for 2025.

In 2024, the Center performed prenatal screening for 68,959 out of a total of 124,482 pregnant women, reaching a rate of 55.4%, exceeding the target of 50% set by the Department of Population. At Can Tho City Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital alone, this rate reached an impressive 97%. Thereby, high-risk cases were detected and treated, contributing to reducing birth defects. For newborn screening, the Center screened 52,059 children, including socialized cases and those in the project. Notably, 100% of newborns at Can Tho City Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital were fully screened, exceeding the target by 17%.

Not only in Can Tho, newborn screening has also been promoted in 12 provinces in the Mekong Delta region, with a total of 102,182 out of 144,836 newborns screened, reaching 70.5%, exceeding the assigned target of 60%. This screening helps detect and promptly treat congenital diseases, ensuring healthy development for children.

According to the Organizing Committee, "The 10th Conference on Prenatal and Newborn Screening and Diagnosis in the Mekong Delta Region" is a clear demonstration of the concern and continuous efforts of the Can Tho City health sector in general and Can Tho City Maternity Hospital in particular in protecting and improving the health of future generations.

Especially as a hospital recognized for specialized medical examination and treatment in the Mekong Delta region, responsible for directing the line and transferring many advanced techniques to hospitals in the region, Can Tho Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital is always a pioneer and promotes the strength of prenatal and neonatal screening and diagnosis. This is a reliable destination for people in maternal and child health care, contributing to improving the population quality and developing the race of the Mekong Delta region.

Le Son