During a visit to K-Ai village, Dan Hoa commune, Minh Hoa district (Quang Binh province), I unexpectedly met midwife Dinh Thi Thanh Tam. My first impression of her was that of a kind, enthusiastic, and dedicated woman. Ms. Tam's advice on nutrition and guidance for mothers on prenatal care was meticulous and easy to understand. Each time we visit Ky Son (Nghe An province), we feel a change unfolding. This change is subtle. Sometimes it's old houses being given nameplates, sometimes it's newly planted flowerbeds, sometimes it's a new resettlement area being handed over to residents… Ky Son is changing from the thoughts and actions of dedicated and responsible people, in a project with a grand aspiration – “Nurturing Ky Son”. On the afternoon of February 28th, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a seminar with Chinese businesses. Also attending were Deputy Prime Ministers Ho Duc Phoc and Nguyen Chi Dung, representatives of leaders from ministries, central agencies and some localities, large corporations and enterprises of Vietnam; Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei; and representatives from several associations and 23 corporations and general companies of China. The internet has brought many opportunities but also poses significant challenges for ethnic minority communities. Without adequate knowledge of online safety, many people inadvertently fall into online traps, from financial fraud to fake information. Given this situation, raising awareness and implementing solutions to protect these communities is essential. During a visit to K-Ai village, Dan Hoa commune, Minh Hoa district (Quang Binh province), I coincidentally met midwife Dinh Thi Thanh Tam. My first impression of her was that of a kind, enthusiastic, and dedicated woman. Ms. Tam's approach to nutritional advice and guidance for mothers on prenatal care is meticulous and easy to understand. The field of ethnic affairs, the implementation of ethnic policies, and state management of beliefs and religions in Pac Nam district (Bac Kan province) will receive new impetus with the establishment of the Department of Ethnic Affairs and Religion. The revolution in restructuring and streamlining the organizational apparatus of the political system is moving strongly from the central to local levels. All efforts are directed towards meeting very high demands and ushering the country into a new era. Vietnam and China are two neighboring countries with great potential for tourism cooperation thanks to their close proximity, similar cultures, and rich heritage systems. In recent years, both sides have continuously strengthened connections, opened up markets, promoted tourist exchanges through cultural exchanges, air links, and the development of unique tourism products. (Summary of the Ethnic Affairs and Development Newspaper) This afternoon's news bulletin on February 28, 2025, includes the following noteworthy information: Vietnamese Ao Dai - Reaching New Heights for Vietnam; Thut Phu Luu Market; Literacy classes in highland communes; and other current events in ethnic minority and mountainous regions. Over the years, Lang Son province has effectively implemented Project 6 on "Preserving and promoting the valuable traditional culture of ethnic minorities in conjunction with tourism development," under the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous regions (National Target Program 1719). Thanks to this, many unique traditional cultural values of ethnic minority communities have been effectively restored and preserved, creating unique products that attract tourists and improve the lives of the people. On February 27th, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van chaired the conference to appraise the General Planning Project for the construction of the Ma Lu Thang Border Economic Zone, Lai Chau province, until 2045. The People's Committee of Quang Nam province has just issued a plan to select outstanding rural industrial products at the provincial level in 2025. The People's Committee of Quang Ngai province has just issued a plan on the detailed disbursement progress of public investment capital in 2025 in the province, which requires investors to quickly disburse funds to implement projects. From March 1st, 2025, the local police organizational system will be reorganized into two levels, including the Provincial Police and the Commune Police. Accordingly, 694 district-level police agencies, along with nearly 6,000 affiliated operational teams, will cease operations.
Exterminating the outdated custom of "building huts in the forest to give birth"
Dan Hoa commune, Minh Hoa district ( Quang Binh province) has 11 villages, with over 90% of the population being Chut ethnic people. Due to the mountainous terrain and numerous streams, accessing health stations and medical centers for check-ups and healthcare remains a significant obstacle. Previously, when Chut women in Dan Hoa commune were due to give birth, they would often build makeshift shelters in the forest to manage the delivery process themselves. This led to many complications and heartbreaking incidents during childbirth.
As a midwife at the commune's health station, Ms. Dinh Thi Thanh Tam could not bear to see such heartbreaking incidents continue. She then went to each village to educate and encourage women to give birth at the health station to ensure safety.
The first target that Ms. Tam aims for in order to effectively disseminate information is respected community leaders, village elders, and community chiefs. Because more than anyone else, these people's voices always carry "weight" with the villagers, Ms. Tam shared.
During her work providing healthcare to the Chứt ethnic minority in the border region, Ms. Tám explained to them the risks of giving birth at home. Throughout her years of dedication to the community, Ms. Tám consistently demonstrated her enthusiasm, earning the trust and affection of the people. The outdated custom of building shelters in the forest or giving birth at home among Chứt women in Dân Hóa gradually disappeared. Instead, when it's time to give birth, Chứt women in the villages of Dân Hóa commune are taken to the Health Station for safe delivery. Now, not only do women give birth, but also those who are sick or have a fever go to the Health Station for examination and treatment, instead of relying on shamans to perform rituals to ward off "forest spirits" as before.
Ms. Ho Thi Buong, from Bai Dinh village, Dan Hoa commune, recounted: “When I gave birth to my first child, I delivered her at home. Luckily, Ms. Tam advised me on how to care for the baby after birth, but I'm still scared thinking about it. With my second child, I knew better and didn't give birth at home anymore; I went to the commune's health station. The people here understand now and are afraid of the dangers, so they no longer give birth at home. All the women here trust and love Ms. Tam very much!”
Together with her colleagues at the Dan Hoa Commune Health Station, midwife Dinh Thi Tam has contributed to eradicating the outdated custom of Chut ethnic women building huts in the forest to give birth. Along with that, the custom of giving birth at home among Chut women in Dan Hoa has also significantly decreased.
Improving maternal and child health.
Assigned to work at the Dan Hoa Commune Health Station since 2023, Midwife Dinh Thi Thanh Tam is responsible for maternal and child health care and family planning. Despite the challenging terrain and difficult travel conditions, Ms. Tam has persevered in providing advice and raising awareness among the local people about planned parenthood, the use of modern contraceptive methods, and ensuring children receive regular vaccinations on schedule and with the correct doses, helping many mothers have safe pregnancies.
I happened to meet Ms. Tam while she was advising Ms. Ho Thi Thau (18 years old) on nutrition for pregnant mothers in K-Ai village, Dan Hoa commune. Ms. Tam's enthusiastic and friendly advice completely won the trust and affection of the pregnant woman.
Ms. Ho Thi Thau said: “Because this is my first pregnancy, I lack experience in caring for myself and my baby and maintaining proper nutrition. Thanks to Ms. Tam's guidance and thorough advice on diet, psychology, and preparation for childbirth, I now know a lot more. When the time comes to give birth, I will go to the commune's health station to receive support from the doctors.”
Along with maternal health, promoting and encouraging children to receive all necessary vaccinations at the correct doses is also a crucial task. Over the years, the Dan Hoa Commune Health Station has actively integrated awareness campaigns, talks, consultations, and guidance for mothers to ensure their children receive all vaccinations according to the expanded immunization program. As a result, 100% of Chut ethnic minority children in Dan Hoa commune have been vaccinated.
Speaking to a reporter from the Ethnic Minorities and Development Newspaper, Dr. Cao Xuan Tiem, Head of the Dan Hoa Commune Health Station, said: “Midwife Dinh Thi Thanh Tam is a dedicated and highly skilled professional. In her role as a midwife, Ms. Tam has contributed to changing the awareness of the local people regarding maternal and child health care in this border region.”
Source: https://baodantoc.vn/thien-than-ao-trang-o-vung-bien-1740716398093.htm
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