Meo Vac is one of the seven poorest districts in Ha Giang Province and is also one of 74 poorest districts nationwide from 2021–2025, as per Decision No. 353/QD-TTg. The rugged terrain and challenging transportation conditions make it difficult for residents to access medical services, especially for mothers and newborns. Many babies are born in harsh conditions without adequate medical care, leading to poor health outcomes and high infant mortality rates. The cold weather also increases the risk of respiratory diseases like pneumonia and respiratory distress, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
The neonatal mortality rate in Ha Giang is alarmingly high. In 2022, nearly 21 infants per 1,000 live births died, a figure significantly higher than the national average of 13 per 1,000. The distance between Meo Vac District General Hospital and Ha Giang Provincial General Hospital is about seven hours. During the rainy season, the main road linking Ha Giang City and Meo Vac often suffers from severe landslides, making it unsafe and risky to transfer critically ill patients, particularly newborns and premature babies with fragile health.
To address these challenges in neonatal care at Meo Vac, the Vietnam Children’s Fund, in collaboration with sponsors STARMED Pharmaceutical Group, Minh Ha Trading Service Co., Ltd., and AAtrading Co., Ltd., launched a project to equip the hospital with modern medical devices. The donation includes 17 specialized devices, such as a warming bed, a CPAP machine, a suction machine, intubation sets, a phototherapy lamp, resuscitation carts, syringe pumps, a SPO2 monitor, and a 5-parameter patient monitor. These devices are expected to improve on-site diagnosis and treatment capabilities, reducing neonatal and premature infant mortality rates in Meo Vac.
In addition to the medical equipment, the sponsors also provided essential gifts worth nearly 10 million VND for newborns and disadvantaged families in the area. Each gift set included essential items such as oral hygiene gauze, herbal bath solutions, and fever-reducing towels, helping to ensure a healthier start for the babies.
