HÀ NỘI — A project on comprehensive childcare and development and healthcare system reform in Việt Nam was recently approved by the Government.

The four-year project, funded by the UN Children Fund (UNICEF), will start this year in Hà Nội, the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) provinces of Gia Lai and Kon Tum, and the northern province of Điện Biên.

The project was financed by a non-refundable official development assistance (ODA) source worth over US$5.1 million (equal to VNĐ112 billion), with Vietnamese Government’s counterpart fund of over VNĐ16 billion in cash, and VNĐ8 billion provided in the form of transfering facilities, staff and expertise.

The project aims to improve child and maternity healthcare services to enhance the comprehensive development of children.

The project will focus on improving healthcare, nutrition and environmental hygiene for children, especially vulnerable groups, to ensure social integration and equality for the cause of human resource quality in the future.

The project will be caried out in community and local healthcare clinics, and focus on improving the qualifications of health workers from central to local levels.

Media plans on behavioural changes, mother and child healthcare, vaccination and nutrition, as well as clean water and environmental hygiene will be extensively promoted.

The Prime Minister has asked the Health Ministry to review the project’s contents to avoid overlap with other foreign and State budget-funded projects.

The ministry was also made in charge of setting up a mechanism for project management and implementation to ensure the project’s effectiveness and progress. — VNS