Accordingly, from 2001 to 2023, Vietnam's child mortality rate has decreased, the under-five mortality rate has halved from 39.6% to 18.2%, and the infant mortality rate has dropped nearly 2.5 times from 29.5% to 11.6%.
Over the past 20 years (2001-2023), Vietnam has seen significant improvements in child health. The under-five mortality rate halved from 39.6% to 18.2%, and the infant mortality rate dropped from 29.5% to 11.6%. Child malnutrition rates also decreased to 9.7% (underweight) and 18.2% (stunted) in 2023.
Abortions have declined from over 300,000 cases in 2010 to less than 200,000 cases since 2020, though rates remain higher in the Red River Delta and Southeast regions. Obstetric accidents have remained around 5-6 cases per 1,000 births since 2015. Early screening rates for HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis among pregnant women are low.
There are still disparities in maternal and child health across regions. Economic growth, particularly in cities and industrial zones, has increased demand for reproductive and sexual health care, yet the current system falls short of meeting these needs. Issues such as premarital and unsafe sex, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe abortions persist.
Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan highlights ongoing challenges, including high maternal mortality in certain areas, child stunting in ethnic minority regions, rising obesity in urban areas, and increasing non-communicable diseases among women. There's also a shortage of qualified obstetrics and paediatrics staff in remote areas.
The situation calls for improved professional guidance, national programs like Nutrition in the First 1,000 Days, and better training and quality of medical services. Village-based midwives in disadvantaged areas should be maintained, and central hospitals should support local health facilities./.
Binh Nguyen