In early February 2026, at Bac Ha Regional General Hospital (Lao Cai), A Sung*, a H’Mong baby boy, fell into severe respiratory distress shortly after birth.
He was breathing rapidly, his tiny chest pulling in with each breath, his body tense, and he could barely feed.
Doctors immediately placed him on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) to support his breathing, helping his fragile lungs maintain each breath. At the same time, medication was administered through an infusion pump to fight the infections developing in his body.
His first 13 days of life were spent in the treatment room, where machines hummed constantly and doctors remained by his side around the clock.
And slowly, those efforts paid off. From the fragile line between life and loss, on February 16, 2026, Sung was discharged home healthy and alert, feeding well, his tiny chest rising and falling as he breathed on his own.
A Sung’s story is just one glimpse into the very real challenges faced by healthcare facilities in remote mountainous areas.
Since December 2025, Bac Ha Regional General Hospital has given a new chance at life to 629 newborns and young children with severe medical conditions. This achievement is the result of the tireless dedication of medical staff, together with timely equipment support from the Neonatal Care program of Vietnam Children’s Fund.
With continued support, more children like A Sung can get the care they need to survive and grow up healthy.
*Name has been changed
