In highland areas, hardship extends beyond harsh weather. Geographic isolation, limited healthcare access, and unseen barriers make the fight for newborn survival especially fragile.
San Si Lung is a barren land nestled among the jagged limestone mountains of Meo Vac, Tuyen Quang Province. Home to many H’Mong families, life here revolves around subsistence farming and enduring poverty. Communities like this are prioritized by the Vietnam Children’s Fund Social Enterprise through its Neonatal Care program, which aims to improve access to essential healthcare for newborns and preterm infants in remote regions.
Looking back on a year of partnership with Meo Vac Regional General Hospital, marked by the provision of essential neonatal equipment and professional training, the team still remembers the case of a preterm baby who was saved in time.
In early summer 2025, the hospital’s pediatric department admitted a H’Mong newborn in critical condition. Born prematurely at home, the baby weighed only 1.5 kilograms, with a weak cry and bluish lips and extremities, signs of severe respiratory distress.
For preterm infants, underdeveloped lungs make every breath a struggle. At that time, transferring the baby to a higher-level hospital was extremely risky. Instead, equipment provided through the Neonatal Care initiative played a decisive role. The CPAP delivered positive airway pressure, supporting the baby’s fragile chest and gradually stabilizing his breathing. Infusion pumps supplied essential nutrients and medication, while a five-parameter monitor closely tracked his condition.
After nearly a month of dedicated treatment and round-the-clock care, the baby slowly recovered. On the day of his discharge, his parents welcomed him with radiant smiles, shaped by years of quiet hardship in the mountains.
Sincere thanks to Starmed Group, Minh Ha Food, and AAStudio for partnering with the Vietnam Children’s Fund Social Enterprise in this meaningful initiative. The baby’s recovery is a reminder that Neonatal Care is not only about medical equipment, but about restoring hope and giving vulnerable newborns a fair chance at life.
