VietNamNet Bridge – A shortage of paediatricians and equipment at hospitals is affecting healthcare for infants in the south-eastern, Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands), and south-central regions.

Heart surgeons care for a young patient at the Nhi Dong 2 Hospital in HCM City. A shortage of paediatricians is proving a problem for the city. (Photo: VNS)
At a workshop on reproductive health care in these regions held in HCM City yesterday, Dr Le Nguyen Nhat Trung of the City Paediatric Hospital No.2 said the main causes of infant mortality were premature births, birth asphyxia, and infection.

He quoted infant mortality statistics as nearly 30 per cent on the south-central coast this year, 45 per cent in the south-east, and 37 per cent in the Central Highlands.

Asphyxia accounted for 13 per cent, 10 per cent, and 20 per cent respectively.

All hospitals in the three regions had neonatal wards but they were not sufficiently equipped, he said.

Some did not have ventilators for new-born babies and blood testing or other equipment, he said.

Besides, 12 out of 18 provincial hospitals had a shortage of paediatrists, while half of the existing number were not trained as paediatrists, he said.

Health departments in the regions should invest further in provincial hospitals and start training courses for paediatrists at these hospitals, he added.

Dr Ha Manh Tuan, Trung’s colleague, warned that healthcare for new-borns, especially in the first 24 hours, was very important to reduce the neonatal mortality rate.

Neonatal deaths accounted for nearly 40 per cent of child fatalities in the world, Tuan said.

But three-quarters of new-born fatalities could be prevented with timely care, he added.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News