Vietnam started in 2005 an initiative to develop a network for newborn care at each of the 64 provinces of Vietnam, in order to decrease infant mortality and ensure best chances for quality future for the 1.6million babies born annually. This is in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, and lead academic institutions and Children’s hospitals in north and South Vietnam: National Hospital for Pediatrics-Hanoi and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine HCM city. Please click here for a complete description of this initiative in PDF format.

The planning includes over 3 years: 

• Phase 1: Development of models for newborn care at 2 pilot provinces: Khanh Hoa & Vinh Phuc 
• Phase 2: National Training courses in North and South Vietnam-6 courses for the 64 provinces of Vietnam, allowing the adoption of unified guidelines for newborn care To date 3 national Training courses in Newborn Care were conducted in south and north Vietnam by Project Vietnam Newborn Care team. Delegates from 28 provinces have been trained by April 2006, representing 45% of the country.
• Phase 3: Support for 10 hospitals to serve as leading Regional Centers for Newborn care at strategic geographical sites, to serve as referral facilities for advanced care. This phase will be implemented along with the above goals.

Project Vietnam has initiated a fundraising campaign “Breaths for Newborns” to save the babies by providing 15,000 CPR kits to trained health personnel.

• $60 provides a basic kit for newborn CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation)
• $100 covers the equipment and supplies with training for the rural physicians, nurses and midwives.

Our Staff in Vietnam Representative: James Brennan PharmD, in Hanoi

Program Manager, Newborn Care Initiative: Long Truong MD, in Ho Chi Minh city

Vitamin K for Newborns

Developed countries of the world prevent this problem by giving an injection of vitamin K right after birth. 

A study by the National Institute of Pediatrics presented November 2000 showed a rate of 1.25/1000 births, 20 times higher than developed countries and highest in Asia. More boys than girls are affected (X3) and 92% are healthy newborn who are breastfed. 

Out of the 1,325 infants hospitalized in Hanoi from 1991-98, over 17% died and 40% showed long term damages. Similar rates are reported in other areas of Vietnam: 4% of babies born at Hue General hospital develop the bleeding, and southern provinces have equally grim statistics. 

In the rural areas which adopted Vitamin K for newborn at our urging, the problem has been promptly eliminated. 

With our support, the National Institute of Pediatrics proposed a Vitamin K demonstration project in districts of Ha Tay and Ha Noi with highest incidence of Vitamin K deficiency hemorrhages in infants. We have pledged to provide for education of healthcare personnel and Vitamin K injections. 

With the support of Americares, VNHelp, the Vietnamese Pharmacists Association, International Children Assistance Network(ICAN) and Lua Viet, about 120,000 doses of Vitamin K have been donated to the program. To date about 85,000 babies received the injection. 

In January 2003 the Ministry of Health adopted Vitalmin K for newborn as a national policy. However the cost of the imported drug represents an obstacle to implementation especially in remote rural areas. A second pilot study with the National Institute of Pediatrics using locally-manufactured Vitamin K has resulted in good results as of March 2005. We are working with Vietnam pediatric leadership towards official approval of this affordable solution.

With the protection of Vitamin K after birth, 1.6 million newborn babies every year will be saved from a huge threat of death and disability. 

This is great news for the families of Vietnam: from now on 1,6 million newborn per year will be saved from a huge threat of death and disability.

Birth Defects Program (Hoa Binh)

This program aims to detect and treat children with birth defects in the province of Hoa Binh. It was started in February 2003 to honor Dr. John O'Connor, volunteer plastic surgeon who passed away suddenly in November 2002. A memorial service for Dr. O'Connor was held at Little Saigon Radio Station's conference hall in Orange County on January 12, 2003. Please click here to read a  very touching account of this event (in Vietnamese).

Medical Technology Development - CPAP Device

20% of babies are born prematurely in Vietnam, many of them with respiratory problems. The CPAP, a basic equipment to provide respiratory assistance to babies in distress, was developed in Vietnam by Project Vietnam lead Engineer Kirk Evans, following the US CPAP model used since the 70’s. The CPAP has decreased the mortality by 20% at the National Hospital of Pediatrics in Hanoi, and many more machines are needed to treat sick newborn.  For a Power Point Presentation on the Newborn Program, please click here.

Malnutrition Reduction, Anemia Reduction, School Health Program

Under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Thuy Nguyen and her husband Tam Do, the Primary care team carried out a nutrition assessment of children at 2 elementary schools in Hoa Binh province, at the main city and the commune of Dan Hoa. Our volunteers recall with emotion how the children often complained of stomachache. In reality they were hungry, some eating just once a day. Out of over 500 children surveyed with comprehensive exams, 57% in Dan Hoa often went hungry, over 60% did not eat fruit or drink juice, and about 90% did not get milk. Using World Health Organization standards, the children were at the low end for growth, however children in the commune were falling behind the city children by 3-4kg and 4-5cm. An important finding was evident from the analysis: between 6-9 years of age, the children suffered a dramatic drop from their usual low baseline! 

This motivated us to instigate a school-based project to provide nutrition support to poor families through a revolving loan program.

Anemia affects about 1/3 of children in Vietnam, mainly in rural localities, and affects brain development and physical growth.

Project Vietnam volunteers conduct screening at rural schools, and offer  treatment with iron and antiparasitic medicines every 6 months. 

$1,000 will cover a school site (400-500 students) for one year, and give the children a better chance for the future.

Scholarships

For the last year Project Vietnam donors have supported scholarships  for worthy needy students providing $150 per student per year.