Implemented in Khanh Hoa for 8 years, the project "Welcome to Life" sponsored by Handicap International in association with Khanh Hoa Department of Health has helped decrease the child mortality rate...
Implemented in Khanh Hoa for 8 years, the project “Welcome to Life” sponsored by Handicap International in association with Khanh Hoa Department of Health has helped decrease the child mortality rate.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Khanh Uyen, Pediatrics Department, Khanh Hoa General Hospital says the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) program is sponsored by Handicap International’s Project “Welcome to Life” in an effort to give timely medical treatment to reduce blindness risks for premature infants in Khanh Hoa Province.
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| ROP screening for premature infants at Khanh Hoa General Hospital. |
“My baby was born early and weighed about 2.5kg. Doctors say that she may suffer from ROP. I have been instructed how to take care of her and advised to take follow-up visits,” says Nguyen Thi H (Hoang Dieu, Nha Trang City).
Funded by the Committee for Belgian Development Cooperation, the Project “Welcome to Life” was carried out in Khanh Hoa in 2006. The project included decreasing the child mortality rate, preventing disabilities among new-born babies and supporting children with disabilities to integrate into the community.
After 8 years of implementation, over 2,500 medical staff have been trained on pre-pregnant health care, ROP screening and rehabilitation for disabled children, especially premature ones, etc.
In addition, over 750 disabled people and social workers have been provided training on propaganda on behavior change on care and prevention of innate malformations, independent life models and management skills for members of clubs for the disabled.
Besides, the project has provided education support through leaflets, posters and banners; donated medical equipment such as infant warming beds, CPAP machines, blood oxygen saturation monitors, first-aid kits for the newly-born and so on.
Moreover, 3,702 couples have been given medical examination, 1,598 woman provided folic acid nutrients, 1,892 women immunized against rubella, 400 premature babies given ROP examination, etc.
Le Huu Tho, Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa Department of Health says the project has given support to many medical activities, especially pre-pregnant care and ROP examination for premature babies. The project has helped change local people’s behaviors to improve their health.
N.T
