HCM City officials, childcare volunteers and parents will receive additional training in issues related to children's protection over the next five years, according to the City 's Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

At the workshop held on Dec. 7, Phan Thanh Minh, head of the city's child protection office, said the rate of accidents as well as sexual and labour abuse of children was expected to fall once the public becomes more aware of childcare issues.

The city targets a 15 percent reduction in accident and abuse cases. Officials will also review regulations and responsibilities of authorities in children protection and care as well as devise more preferential policies for officials and volunteers. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nhung, the department's deputy head, said that the People's Committee would approve spending of more than 11 billion VND (564,102 USD) to pay more to officials and volunteers specialising in children protection and care.

In January this year, the city set up consulting rooms for parents and children in People's Committee's offices in three wards in Tan Phu district and two wards in District 6 to begin a pilot programme. The wards have also created clubs for children.

The city also plans to offer services to support the health of mothers and children.

The new policy has set a goal to ensure that all homeless children will be cared for and that at least 95 percent of children suffering from a harelip or cleft palate deformity will receive free surgery./.