Philips joins charity race to reduce Vietnam’s neonatal mortality as title sponsor
Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 08:00 GMT+7
Philips Vietnam has shown its support for the Red River Run, a charity race held on Monday to reduce neonatal mortality and promote health of newborns and mothers in the country.
Red River Run was a 300km non-stop relay run from Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in the Vietnamese capital to the Lao Cai Obstetrics Hospital in the namesake northern province, organized by Newborns Vietnam.
Newborns Vietnam is a UK-registered NGO dedicated to reducing neonatal mortality in Southeast Asia, with a specific focus on Vietnam.
The event was held with an aim to raise much needed funds for preventing neonatal mortality, or the death of young children under the age of one, in Vietnam.
In Vietnam, 17,000 newborns die every year within the first 28 days after birth, making up 52 percent of total infant deaths below the age of five.
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| Associate Professor Nguyen Duy Anh, director of the Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, presents a token of appreciation to Royal Philips, the title sponsor of Red River Run. |
Disparity in healthcare access, resource constraints in healthcare workforces and a lack of trained specialists are the key reasons for the poor outcomes of neonatal care.
Recognizing the alignment of Newborns Vietnam’s cause with its goal to improve access to healthcare in underserved communities to 400 million people a year by 2030, and its ongoing target to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health through innovations, Philips joined the Red River Run and brought in the highest-grade donation as a title sponsor.
“We take the issue of infant deaths seriously as we strongly believe that mothers and infants deserve the best care possible before, during, and after birth,” said Hugo Luik, country manager of Philips Vietnam, who also participated in the run as part of the relay team.
“We are proud to work with Newborns Vietnam and be part of their cause to provide good, safe and consistent care for the mothers and children who need it most.”
Three Red River Runners, Marieke Dekkers, Grant Bowdrey and Rob West, set out on the 300km run on April 22.
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| About 900 runners took part in the fun run on April 21. |
On April 21, a three-kilometer fun run was held around Hanoi’s Chua Lang area, participated by Henk Siebren de Jong, chief of international markets with Royal Philips, and 750 doctors and nurses, to show support for the trio before their fundraising effort.
The funds raised by the event will go to various initiatives, including newborn training programs for nine hospitals in Hanoi and lifesaving equipment for the Lao Cai Obstetrics Hospital and Newborn Unit.
