As the world observes World Prematurity Day (WPD) on Sunday, Vietnam is joining global efforts to raise awareness about the challenges faced by premature infants and their families.

This year’s theme, “Over 13 million babies born prematurely every year. Access to quality care everywhere!”, underscores the urgent need for equitable healthcare for preterm babies worldwide.

In Vietnam, preterm births account for approximately 45 percent of all child mortality cases, reflecting the critical need for improved neonatal care.

Recognizing this, UNICEF Vietnam, in collaboration with Kimberly-Clark, the Ministry of Health, and northern Bac Ninh Province, hosted a special event on Saturday to promote access to quality care for newborns, especially those with low birth weight or born prematurely.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan drew attention to a unified national strategy to reduce premature and low birth weight births, as well as infant mortality rates.

“Success requires not only the efforts of the health sector but also collaboration from ministries, local authorities, and communities,” he said.

Thuan also mentioned the role of maternal awareness and called for stronger support from both international and domestic organizations to improve prenatal care, prevent premature births, and ensure comprehensive treatment for preterm infants.

Silvia Danailov, UNICEF representative to Vietnam, stressed the urgency of addressing healthcare disparities, noting that timely and equitable access to quality care can significantly improve survival rates and long-term outcomes for preterm infants.

“As we celebrate the resilience of these infants and their families, we also honor those lost to preventable complications, underscoring the importance of our work,” she said.

World Prematurity Day was established in 2008 to shine a light on the global crisis of preterm births, with UNICEF and its partners working tirelessly to address the issue.

Today, the initiative unites individuals and organizations worldwide in efforts to prevent preterm births and improve care for babies born too soon.

In Vietnam, UNICEF continues to lead efforts to engage families, healthcare professionals, and policymakers in finding sustainable solutions.

Through initiatives like Saturday’s event in Bac Ninh, the country is making strides toward ensuring every child has access to the care they need to survive and thrive.

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