Nurses take care of a newborn at the Children’s Hospital No 2 in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo Đinh Hằng

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Health (MoH) has sent a letter asking provinces and cities to speed up the programme for screening and diagnosis of prenatal and neonatal diseases by 2030.

In the letter, the MoH requested localities to ensure human resources and infrastructure for prenatal and newborn screening for nine diseases and congenital defects.

The programme for screening, diagnosis and treatment of prenatal and neonatal diseases by 2030 was approved by the Prime Minister on 7 December 2020.

The MoH then issued the official dispatch No 7375/BYT-TCDS on 31 December 2020, asking provinces and cities to set up plans for the programme.

To date, 60 out of 63 localities have issued plans to implement the programme.

However, after more than two years, reports from provinces and cities showed that the implementation results were low.

To ensure the programme's effectiveness, the MoH requested provinces and cities to find solutions to achieve the programme's goals.

For the three localities that have not issued plans to implement the programme, it is necessary to speed up the work following the MoH's instructions in the official dispatch No 7375/BYT-TCDS.

From now to 2025, there is a focus on the target that 50 per cent of pregnant women should receive prenatal screening for at least the four most common congenital diseases.

About 70 per cent of newborns should be screened for at least the five most common congenital diseases.

As many as 70 per cent of communes, wards and towns should have adequate facilities to provide prenatal screening services.

About 70 per cent of medical facilities at district level or higher should be capable of providing prenatal screening services and newborn screening based on professional guidance.

The MoH requests municipal and provincial people's committees to ensure resources in terms of facilities and professional capacity for prenatal screening of four congenital diseases and defects, including Edward syndrome, Down syndrome, Patau syndrome and Thalassemia.

They must also ensure newborn screening for five congenital diseases and defects, including congenital hypothyroidism, G6PD deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital heart defects and congenital heart disease.

During the implementation process, if localities experience any difficulties or problems, they should send reports to the MoH for timely support and resolution. — VNS