A village-based health worker (right) treats a resident's injury in Ban Ngo Commune, Xin Man district, in the northern mountainous province of HA Giang. (Photo: VNA) Phan Ngoc Ly is one diligent healthcare worker in Ban Ngo commune, Xin Man district.Despite a demanding schedule, Lys consistently rises to the occasion, ensuringhe completes all the tasks entrusted to him.
Ly's responsibilities are multifaceted, encompassing the dissemination ofpublic health policies and participation in community health training courses.Additionally, he extends first aid and routine medical care to the localpopulation.
Furthermore, he shoulders the responsibility of encouraging the local populace toseek examination and treatment at health stations when unwell, rather thanresorting to ritualistic customs in the hope of curing ailments. This role, inparticular, underscores the health workers' commitment to the modernisation ofhealthcare within these regions.
According to Vuong Thanh Nguyen, head of Xin Man district’s Health Centre, thedistrict currently has 18 commune-level administrative units, including onewith 139 village-based health workers.
Despite their extensive responsibilities and the relatively modest remunerationthey receive, the district's village-based health workers are both enthusiasticand conscientious in carrying out their duties.
As per Circular No. 07/2013/TT-TTCP, the role of a village-based health workeris indeed multifarious. However, Nguyen pointed out, the allowances theseworkers receive remained somewhat meagre.
Regulations stipulate that health workers in disadvantaged communes receive anallowance equivalent to half of the current basic salary. In contrast, thoseserving in other areas are entitled to an allowance amounting to 30 per cent ofthe base salary.
At present, the basic salary stands at 1.49 million VND (approximately 63.4 USD)per month. Consequently, for many, the economic compensation does not adequatelyreflect the breadth and importance of the work they perform.
Vuong Minh Hieu, who leads the commune’s health station, noted that theinsufficient allowances had had tangible consequences. Since the start of theyear, several village-based health workers had resigned from their posts,driven away by the economic inadequacy of their remuneration.
Hieu explained that the allowance failed to meet their daily living expenses.Consequently, these health workers sought employment with companies offeringhigher salaries.
In a bid to counteract this unfortunate trend, the district's health sector haddevised a strategy, explained Nguyen. Village-based health workers were nowgiven the opportunity to take on additional roles, such as working for thecommune-level Youth Union, thereby supplementing their income and potentiallyretaining their valuable healthcare services.
Changing awareness
Nguyen noted the positive impact of the health workers' outreach activities onthe local population. He highlighted that these efforts had led to a shift inlocal attitudes.
Child marriage rates had seen a steady decline, and the elimination of outdatedcustoms had made significant strides in recent times, he added.
In order to augment the effectiveness of these village-based health workers,the district’s health sector planned to hold short training courses, spanning threeto five days. This educational initiative was intended to equip the healthworkers with the knowledge and skills they need to increase their operationalefficiency in the future, explained Nguyen.
Vuong Van Ba, a local resident, reflected on the transformation within his ownfamily and others in the community. Previously, it was common practice toinvite a shaman to perform rituals in the hope of healing the sick. However,the intervention of the village-based health workers, who examined the sick andurged them to seek medical care at health stations and hospitals, had caused asignificant cultural shift.
As a result of these interventions, Ba's family no longer resorted to invokinga shaman to cure ailments, he said, signifying a tangible transition towardsmodern healthcare practices.
“Going to medical facilities for examination and treatment has helped us torecover faster,” he said.
Hoang Van Sy, another inhabitant of the commune, lauded the dedication of thevillage-based health workers, crediting them for fostering trust and enhancinglocal understanding of healthcare.
"We no longer believe in the curative power of worship," he said,underscoring the significant cultural shift that had taken place within thecommunity.
Influenced by the village-based health workers, Sy has also taken measures toeducate his children and grandchildren about the drawbacks of consanguineousand child marriages./.
VNA
