Urgent action to close the gap in health care services

Today, November 17, the world once again celebrates World Prematurity Day, to raise awareness about premature babies and the challenges they face.

With the theme “ More than 13 million babies are born prematurely every year. Make sure every baby gets the best health care! ”, this year’s World Prematurity Day highlights significant disparities in health care globally and calls for ensuring access to high-quality care for premature babies, regardless of where or under what circumstances they are born.

Delegates attend the event to celebrate World Prematurity Day 2024 in Bac Ninh on November 16. (Source: UNICEF)

Premature birth remains the leading cause of death in children under five, and many premature babies who survive are left with lifelong disabilities due to inadequate medical care. An estimated 13.4 million babies are born prematurely each year worldwide. In Vietnam, premature births account for about 45% of all neonatal deaths.

The theme of World Prematurity Day 2024 is an urgent call to action to close gaps in health care services and promote improved care for mothers and newborns worldwide.

Together with partners, UNICEF Viet Nam is working to engage families, health professionals and policy makers in a global dialogue on improving health care for preterm babies.

An estimated 13.4 million babies are born prematurely each year worldwide. In Vietnam, premature birth accounts for about 45% of all neonatal deaths.

On November 16, with the support of Kimberly-Clark, UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and Bac Ninh province organized a special event in Bac Ninh province to promote increased access to high-quality care for newborns, especially low birth weight and premature babies.

UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Silvia Danailov speaks at the event. (Source: UNICEF)

Speaking at the event, Ms. Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam, affirmed the need to reduce disparities in access to health care. Premature babies face many significant challenges, so timely and equitable access to quality health care services is key to improving their chances of survival and ensuring their long-term health and well-being.

“As we celebrate the resilience of premature babies and their families, we also remember those premature babies who have died from preventable complications, underscoring the urgency of the work we do,” she stressed.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan speaks at the event. (Source: UNICEF)

In his call for action, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said that reducing the rate of premature births and low birth weight, and thus infant mortality, requires a unified approach. This requires not only the efforts of the health sector, but also the cooperation of many ministries, local authorities and the community at large.

The Ministry of Health leaders also emphasized the important role of raising awareness among expectant mothers and the support of international and domestic organizations as well as the need to focus on implementing solutions to improve prenatal care, prevent premature birth and ensure comprehensive treatment for premature babies.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hanh-dong-khan-cap-thu-hep-khoang-cach-trong-dich-vu-cham-soc-y-te-294006.html