Nghe An: Launching the National Action Month on Population in 2021

On the morning of November 25th, at Nguyen Canh Chan High School (Thanh Chuong), the Steering Committee for Population and Development, in coordination with the Steering Committee for Population Affairs of Thanh Chuong District, organized the launching ceremony of the National Action Month on Population towards the 60th anniversary of Vietnam's Population Day (November 26, 1961 – November 26, 2021).

Attending the launching ceremony were Mr. Nguyen Huu Le - Deputy Director of the Department of Health; Mr. Tran Huu Nghia - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Newspaper; Ms. Le Thi Huong Giang - Vice President of the Nghe An Provincial Women's Union; Mr. Nguyen Ba Tan - Head of the Provincial Population and Family Planning Department. Representing Thanh Chuong district were Mr. Nguyen Hai Duong - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the District Party Committee, and members of the District Steering Committee. Photo: My Ha

National Population Action MonthThe program for 2021 was implemented from December 1st to December 31st, 2021.With the theme "60 Years of the Population Sector - For a Sustainable Development Vietnam," the aim is to further promote communication, advocacy, and the role and responsibility of Party committees, government agencies, departments, mass organizations, social organizations, and all segments of the population regarding population and development in the new context, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the country and the province.

Over the past 60 years, the Vietnamese Party and State have identified population as the root of all issues, a crucial foundation for the sustainable development of the nation and its people.

A cultural performance program celebrating the anniversary and the National Action Month on Population. Photo: My Ha

In Nghe An province, under the direction and leadership of the Steering Committee for Population and Development, with the active participation of the entire political system and the dedication and responsibility of the population work staff at all levels, Nghe An's population work has achieved remarkable results. The population growth rate has been basically controlled, and the quality of the population has improved. The two-child family model has become the norm, spreading and deeply ingrained throughout society.

These significant results have contributed considerably to the socio-economic development achievements of the province and are a testament to the profound understanding of the content of Resolution 21 of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam on population work in the new situation for the quality of life of the people, for the comprehensive development of society in general and Nghe An in particular.

Comrade Nguyen Huu Le beats the drum at the launching ceremony. Photo: My Ha.

However, despite the above achievements, population work in our province still faces many difficulties and challenges, as Nghe An is currently a province with...population sizeThe province is large (ranked 4th nationwide) and has a high fertility rate (ranked among the top 7 provinces with the highest fertility rates nationwide), with a tendency for the rate of having a third child or more to increase again. Gender imbalance at birth and population aging are at alarming levels. The quality of the population does not yet match the province's potential.

In particular, healthcare for the elderly, reproductive health for adolescents and young adults, and healthcare for mothers and children still face many difficulties and challenges.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Comrade Nguyen Huu Le – Deputy Director of the Department of Health – stated that, in order to effectively address the population challenges of Nghe An province, all levels and sectors need to continue to proactively and effectively implement Resolution No. 21 with a decisive spirit, using comprehensive solutions to achieve the goals and tasks set for the province's Population and Development work.

On behalf of the Provincial Steering Committee for Population and Development, Comrade Nguyen Huu Le also requested that in the coming period, relevant departments, agencies, and localities shouldInnovate and improve the effectiveness of propaganda and education in implementing the "Each couple should have two children" campaign, ensuring the rights and responsibilities in childbirth and raising children well. Promote self-awareness, voluntariness, and mutual supervision within the community; uphold the exemplary role of each official and Party member in building culturally advanced families, villages, hamlets, and units.

Presenting gifts to underprivileged students at Nguyen Canh Chan High School. Photo: My Ha

Simultaneously,Effectively implement intervention solutions to improve population quality; proactively adjust the population growth rate and control the increase in the sex ratio at birth. ContinueTo improve the quality of logistics support for reproductive health/family planning services, aiming to provide comprehensive, timely, safe, and convenient access to quality services for target users.

At the launching ceremony, the Steering Committee for Population and Development presented gifts to 15 underprivileged students who excelled academically in Thanh Chuong district.

My Ha