Students join an event on reproductive health care in Hanoi (Photo: giadinh.net.vn)Hanoi (VNA) - A co-operativeprogramme on population and reproductive health was signed last week betweenthe General Office on Population and Family Planning under the Ministry ofHealth, and DKT International.
Under the programme, thetwo sides will propose joint-plans to target the population and provide familyplanning education.
The two sides will alsooffer consultancy and education to improve professional skills for medicalworkers and knowledge for residents in those areas with high birth rates andabortion rates. They will also offer financial support to carry out events andtarget programmes to reduce abortions and spread knowledge about familyplanning.
Speaking at the signingceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Professor Nguyen Viet Tien said that thepopulation sector was targeted with much success, but also faced difficulties.
Shortages of funds andmanpower was a challenge for the country, he said.
“I totally encourage thetarget of the joint-programme. We should find suitable measures, so thatpopulation and reproductive health programmes can be more successful,” said Tien.
According to MichaelEvans, DKT International Head Representative in Vietnam, besides success, Vietnamstill has to overcome obstacles, since education on contraceptive methods amongthe youth remains weak.
Vietnam’s abortion rateranks first in the Southeast Asia and fifth in the world.
Vietnam changed from apoor country to a country with average income, but as a result, differentforeign countries cut their financial support to Vietnam and gave that supportto poorer countries, so now many localities do not receive support,” he said.
The signing ceremonybegan a new period, and re-started the programme on family planning in Vietnam,he added.
DKTInternational is a social marketing nonprofit organisation working inLatin America, Africa and Asia to improve access to reproductive healthproducts and services.-VNA
