Deploying maternal and child health monitoring books nationwide

On August 11, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organized a workshop on "Implementing the use of maternal and child health monitoring books" with the participation of leaders of the Department of Health and Reproductive Health Care Centers of 22 provinces.

Illustrative photo. (Photo: Duong Ngoc/VNA)

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said that the maternal and child health monitoring book, which has been implemented in Japan for nearly 70 years, has achieved many positive results in improving maternal and child health. This model has also been applied in many countries around the world.

In Vietnam, the project was piloted in four provinces including Dien Bien, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa and An Giang, with remarkable results.

The final assessment results showed that 81% of mothers brought their maternal and child health records when they visited the commune health station. 92% of mothers had at least 3 prenatal check-ups; mothers' knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy improved significantly; 90% of mothers brought their maternal and child health records when they took their children for vaccinations...

The Department of Maternal and Child Health has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health for provinces and cities across the country to study and consider for possible implementation locally.

According to Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, the expansion of maternal and child health records in Vietnam still faces many difficulties and challenges in terms of expertise as well as funding. Therefore, at this workshop, the Ministry of Health hopes that delegates will discuss and agree on solutions to standardize tools for monitoring, caring for and recording maternal and child health; gradually putting the records into routine use in Vietnam's reproductive health care system.

At the same time, delegates also gave their opinions on mobilizing resources from the local State budget, considering socialization; integrating into national target programs and projects, international cooperation programs and projects to gradually expand the implementation of maternal and child health monitoring books...

Reports at the workshop stated that the maternal and child health record book is a tool to monitor and continuously care for the health of mothers and children during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and until the child is 6 years old. The book consists of 4 parts: Part 1 (basic information), part 2 (pregnancy care), part 3 (care during childbirth, postpartum and newborn care) and part 4 (child health care). The target users include pregnant mothers, family members and health workers.

At the workshop, delegates focused on discussing the integration of vaccination records and growth charts into maternal and child health records; and putting these records into use in localities from 2016./.

According toVIETNAM+