A baby born prematurely receives care at Đồng Nai Children's Hospital. — VNA/VNS Photo Lê Xuân

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Health, with support from Kimberly-Clark and UNICEF, hosted a special event on Friday to accelerate action and raise awareness about the challenges faced by babies born too soon, while honouring their strength and the resilience of their families.

As the world prepares to mark World Prematurity Day on November 17, the spotlight turns to more than 13.4 million babies born prematurely each year and the obstacles they face. This year’s theme, 'Give preterm babies a strong start for a brighter future!', underscores the urgent need for quality, loving and timely care from the very first days of life.

Preterm birth remains the leading cause of death among children under five, and babies who survive often face lifelong health challenges, including developmental delays and disabilities.

In Việt Nam alone, an estimated 14,000 newborn deaths occurred in 2024, with one in four linked to prematurity.

World Prematurity Day serves as a call for hope and equity in child health care, ensuring every baby has the chance to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential. Together with partners, UNICEF Việt Nam is engaging families, communities, health professionals and policymakers in a global dialogue to make this vision a reality.

UNICEF staff and Vietnamese health officials at a special event accelerating action and raising awareness on premature births in Hà Nội on Friday. — Photo courtesy of UNICEF

Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative to Việt Nam, said: “Việt Nam has made notable progress in neonatal care, and UNICEF will continue to support the Ministry of Health to expand access to life-saving interventions – because it’s not just a right to every child, it’s a smart investment in healthier, stronger societies.”

Key objectives for World Prematurity Day 2025 include prioritising preterm birth globally by integrating prevention and care into national health agendas, in alignment with WHO’s recognition of World Prematurity Day.

The event also focuses on ensuring equitable access to care by strengthening health systems to provide early interventions, family-centred support and equal access to essential services for preterm babies and their families.

Another objective is to promote investment in the health and well-being of preterm babies as both a moral responsibility and a foundation for healthier, more resilient societies.

Since its inception in 2008, this day has grown into a global initiative, with hundreds of events, online campaigns and local activities in more than 100 countries.

From this year, November 15 has been designated the official date for World Prematurity Day to avoid overlap with other global observances. The Ministry of Health of Việt Nam has institutionalised the day as part of its routine tasks, ensuring nationwide implementation. — VNS