Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A symposium on improving paediatric first aid training in Vietnam was held in Hanoi on April 15 as a joint effort of the Ministry of Health, the Vietnam National Hospital of Paediatrics and the UK’s Advanced Life Support Group Organisation (ALSG).
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Viet Tien said paediatric first aid in major hospitals, particularly in the northern region has improved remarkably over the past years, helping to reduce the rate of child mortality countrywide.
Vietnam is praised for having fulfilled the Millennium Development Goal on reducing maternal and child mortality rates, especially newborns, he added.
The official stressed that the paediatric system in particular and healthcare system at large differs from place to place in the country, hence the event is aimed at enhancing awareness of the Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) programme among caregivers.
Director of the Vietnam National Hospital of Paediatrics Le Thanh Hai said while the quality of treatment has improved remarkably, the rate of mortality among children within the first 24 hours in hospital remains little change. Therefore, the hospital has worked with international organisations and experts to bring the APLS programme to the country.
First introduced at the Vietnam National Hospital of Paediatrics in 2003, the programme has organised 120 basic first aid classes and 18 advanced classes with the participation of over 3,500 medical workers across the country, he added.
Initiated in 1990, the programme is considered the world’s leading course in nursing and intensive care in paediatrics.-VNA
