HCM CITY —  A Kids Health Care Programme held to celebrate International Children’s Day last weekend provided free health examinations and medicine to 10,000 children at HCM City’s September 23 Park in District 1.

Parent Lê Quốc Chính of District 7 took his seven-year-old son to hospital booths, including Paediatrics Hospital 1 for health exams. A doctor at the hospital, who examined his gums and mouth, said the child needed Vitamin C supplements for enamel formation and healthy gums and this was provided free of charge.

“This is the first time I’ve gone to the programme. It was useful for parents who are too busy working and cannot take their children to hospitals for periodic check-ups. It also offers entertainment,” Chính said.

At the hospital’s booth, parents and grandparents learned how to administer first aid to children who are choking on liquids or food.

Dr Phạm Thế Vinh of the hospital said that many parents and caretakers did not know correct first aid techniques, which sometimes resulted in hazardous methods being used. For instance, holding a choking baby upside down is dangerous, Vinh said. The baby should be placed face down along the forearm of the caretaker. Back blows should be used to stop choking. Five chest thrusts should be provided if the baby still cannot breathe.

At the booth of the city’s Preventive Health Centre, attendees were provided counselling on vaccines and preventive methods against dengue fever, Zika virus, and hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease.

Dr Nguyễn Thế Thịnh of the centre said parents should spend 15 minutes on destroying larvae and mosquitoes inside their house to reduce the risk of dengue fever and Zika virus.

As of May 16, at least 7,363 patients had been diagnosed with dengue fever, an increase of 88 per cent compared to the same period last year. Of these, two people died.

In addition, regular hand washing is the most effective way to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease.

The city has recorded 1,540 cases of HFM disease as of May 16, a reduction of 36 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The Kids Health Care Programme was organised by the city’s Public Health Association in co-operation with the Department of Health and HCM Communist Youth Union.

The programme, which also offers eye and dental exams, was first held in 2013, attracting more than 5,000 children. It aims to improve parents’ knowledge of health care. — VNS