Vietnam Children’s Fund Social Enterprise’s Neonatal Care program donated 16 essential neonatal care devices to Si Ma Cai District General Hospital, Lao Cai Province, to protect the lives of newborns and mothers in the highland region of Northwest Vietnam on February 21. The donation, valued at 200,000,000 VND, was successfully fundraised with the support of the community on the MoMo Super App.
Si Ma Cai is one of the three poorest districts in Lao Cai Province and in the entire country for the 2021–2025 period, according to Decision No. 353 issued by the Prime Minister. Its mountainous terrain not only creates economic difficulties but also significantly impacts almost every other sector. In healthcare, challenging transportation conditions greatly hinder patients’ ability to access timely and safe medical care, especially for pregnant women and critically ill newborns.
Si Ma Cai District General Hospital is the highest-level medical facility responsible for treating over 26,000 residents in the district and surrounding areas. Although the local authorities have made significant efforts to raise awareness and improve living conditions, issues such as home births, teenage pregnancies, malnutrition, stunting, and low birth weight among children persist. These challenges increase the pressure on the local healthcare system, especially amid a shortage of medical equipment.
According to 2023 statistics, the hospital admitted over 1,600 childbirth cases and more than 1,200 pediatric patients. The number of pediatric patients tends to increase during cold, rainy seasons and seasonal transitions, putting additional strain on the hospital’s capacity. This challenge is further exacerbated by equipment shortages, malfunctions, and inadequate medical resources. While the hospital’s designated bed capacity is 20, the daily number of pediatric patients often reaches 37 or even 40, making overcrowding a frequent issue.
In particular, Si Ma Cai district is also one of the localities in the Northwest that was heavily affected by the Yagi Typhoon. Power outages during the floods have caused severe damage to some equipment, making the care and treatment of children, especially newborns, premature babies, and those with medical conditions, increasingly difficult and stressful.
Recognizing the barriers and understanding the challenges faced by the district medical team in poor and remote provinces, Vietnam Children’s Fund Social Enterprise’s Neonatal Care program called for the support of the MoMo Super App user community to provide essential neonatal care medical equipment and training. This support aims to help doctors and nurses in Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai province enhance their emergency care capabilities for newborns and premature infants.
