A breath of fresh air in population work.
For many years, with perseverance, responsibility, and dedication to the community, the population workers in Nghe An province have quietly gone "from street to street, knocking on every door, and reaching out to every individual" to disseminate information and encourage people to effectively implement population policies, gradually improving the quality of the population in the new situation.
Unwearying footsteps
At 67 years old, Mr. Luong Van Quyet, from Tat Thoong village, Chieu Luu commune, is one of the most veteran population collaborators of the Ky Son Health Center. Having been involved in this work since 1994, for over 30 years, he has considered population work not just a duty but an integral part of his life.
Sharing his thoughts on this, he added: "Previously, I served in the army and worked as a medic in my unit. After being wounded and discharged, I volunteered to work as a village health worker, and later I also took on the role of a population collaborator. These two jobs each have their own unique characteristics, but now they complement each other."
Following the administrative reorganization, the former Ky Son district was reduced from 21 communes and towns to 7. Despite the changes in administrative boundaries, healthcare in general, and population work in particular, has remained stable. Of the 191 villages in the former district, the percentage of population collaborators who also serve as village health workers remains close to 100%, with no villages lacking personnel.
According to Ms. Tran Thi Khanh, Deputy Head of the Population and Health Education Communication Department (Ky Son Health Center), the center's service area is currently vast, encompassing many remote villages and hamlets with difficult transportation and limited communication, making the role of the community collaborators stationed at the grassroots level extremely important. "They are the bridge that helps maintain continuous and effective population work. Many of them are grandparents but remain dedicated to their work and to the local people," Ms. Khanh affirmed.
In Quy Chau commune, among the team of population and health collaborators in villages and hamlets, many have been involved in the work for over 20 years. They are knowledgeable about local customs and traditions, have prestige in the community, and play an important role in disseminating information and mobilizing people to implement population policies.
In the commune, Ms. Vy Thi Hoa has been dedicated to this work for over two decades. Every day, in addition to disseminating information on population policies and supporting families with children suffering from Thalassemia, she actively collaborates with healthcare workers to provide primary healthcare, first aid, emergency care, maternal and child care, elderly care, implement health programs, manage health information, and report at the grassroots level.
"Working in population and health services at the grassroots level is often like 'eating at home but carrying the village's burden,' with many named tasks and just as many unnamed ones. But what keeps me committed for the long term is the trust of the people and the feeling that I am doing something useful for the community."
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, Quy Chau commune
In Chau Khe commune, there is also a special collaborator in Boong village, Ms. Kha Thi Ha. She herself is a patient suffering from thalassemia. Overcoming her circumstances, for many years she has diligently become a "living witness" to educate the people in the commune about disease prevention, the importance of prenatal screening, and offering helpful advice to help them live and integrate like normal people.
Turn challenges into action.
In 2025, following the implementation of a two-tiered local government system, population work in Nghe An province will be significantly impacted. However, despite these difficulties, activities at the grassroots level will not be disrupted. Instead, the implementation of tasks will become increasingly practical and tailored to specific target groups.
Mr. Le Huu Mui, Head of the Population and Health Education Communication Department at the Quy Chau Health Center, stated: "Despite the merger, health stations are still maintained in the communes. Therefore, from the beginning of the year, population officials in the communes have proactively advised local authorities to develop coordinated programs with various departments, agencies, and organizations, tailored to specific target groups. As a result, population-related activities are still regularly maintained."
At the provincial level, over the past year, the Department of Health has promptly directed the Population Department, relevant departments and agencies, and health centers to implement the conclusions and resolutions of the Central Government on population work in the new situation. In addition, it has maintained communication activities in response to World Population Day, the Month of Action for Children, and the National Month of Action on Population with diverse and flexible forms through competitions such as "Ringing the Golden Bell" and the "Being a Daughter to Shine" competition. Furthermore, the Department has also organized many communication sessions, including talks with the elderly on health care, with students in junior and senior high schools on adolescent and youth reproductive health issues, and communication with mountainous communes on the prevention and control of thalassemia…
Mr. Nguyen Van Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, affirmed that, thanks to the efforts of various departments and local authorities, and the responsibility and dedication of the population management team, the awareness and actions of the majority of the population regarding population policies have undergone positive changes.
From a province with a high birth rate, ranking among the top 10 in the country, the birth rate has now decreased to near the replacement level. In addition, the grassroots healthcare network has been increasingly strengthened, national target programs on population and reproductive health have been implemented synchronously, and the awareness, consciousness, and responsibility of the community regarding reproductive health care, premarital care, and screening for congenital defects have been increasingly enhanced.
In particular, propaganda and mobilization efforts have been intensified through various creative forms that are close to the people, suitable for different target groups and regions, contributing to improving the quality of the population. The rate of children receiving full vaccinations, pregnant women undergoing prenatal screening, and the elderly receiving healthcare are all increasing.
Speaking about Nghe An's population work, Ms. Hoang Thi Thom – Deputy Director of the Population Department, Ministry of Health – also highly appreciated the results achieved in recent years. She also noted that, in the transition period from family planning to population and development, the province's population work is facing many opportunities and challenges.
Therefore, immediately after the National Assembly passed the Population Law, the National Target Program on healthcare, population and development for the period 2026-2035, and Resolution No. 72 on "Some breakthrough solutions to strengthen the protection, care and improvement of people's health," the province must consider this as a "new breeze, a new vitality," a promising source for future plans and action programs.
In particular, the immediate task is to continue effectively advising Party committees and government authorities on strengthening leadership and guidance in population work according to the content of Resolution No. 21 on population work in the new situation. At the same time, it is necessary to effectively advise on ensuring resources for population work, especially in the context of implementing a two-tiered local government system, continuing to consolidate and stabilize the organizational structure, and strengthening coordination among all levels and sectors to effectively achieve the set goals and targets.
