The campaign, part of 2025 safe motherhood week (October 1-7) under the theme “Comprehensive postpartum care - Health for mothers, future for children,” highlights the importance of proper postnatal care to prevent complications and deaths.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 60% of maternal and neonatal deaths occur within the first six weeks after childbirth, when mothers are most vulnerable and newborns require specialized care to adapt to life outside the womb.
Rising risks in rural Gia Lai
Local health centers have reported numerous cases of severe complications caused by inadequate postpartum care.
Dr. Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Ly of Quy Nhơn Health Center warned that many assume childbirth ends the health risk, while in fact, “this is a highly sensitive period.” Without adequate care, mothers face risks such as hemorrhage, infection, and postpartum depression.
For newborns, exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, keeping the baby warm, and maintaining hygiene of the nose, throat, and umbilical cord are key to preventing respiratory, digestive, and infectious diseases. “Breast milk strengthens immunity and reduces risks of pneumonia and diarrhea, two leading causes of death among children under five,” Dr. Ly added.
Local outreach and training
At Lơ Pang Commune Health Station, midwife Huỳnh Phạm Thị Oanh Tuyền said health education is conducted through monthly village visits and specialized sessions on breastfeeding and reproductive health. Counseling on prenatal check-ups, tetanus vaccination, and safe pregnancy is also provided during immunization campaigns.
The provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC Gia Lai) is leading communication activities, including a seminar on September 25 titled “Enhancing reproductive healthcare - Safety for mothers, health for children,” gathering representatives from health centers and grassroots medical staff.
Deputy Director of the Department of Health, Đinh Hà Nam, said that while prenatal check-ups have increased, more than 10% of women, mostly in ethnic minority communities, still give birth at home without medical supervision.
Persistent home births
In 2024, Gia Lai recorded more than 2,400 home births (9.07%), and during the first seven months of 2025, over 1,150 home deliveries (9.3%), with nearly 80% lacking professional assistance.
These cases are concentrated in mountainous districts such as Mang Yang, Chư Păh, Chư Sê, Kông Chro, Ia Pa, and Đak Đoa, where traditional childbirth customs remain strong and terrain poses logistical challenges.
To address the issue, the province has expanded its network of 129 village midwives, offering training in safe delivery, postpartum care, and basic first aid. The initiative is part of the “village midwife” project and the MSD–UNFPA maternal and newborn mortality reduction program.
![tuan-le-an-toan.jpg](https://en-cdn.baogialai.com.vn/images/880e5665ffa3630a6d6ef6b344d4f3e756df0302badacad5437fe12507894eed6f4f6996b5bc02f30bcdb8071b7e6163a10ce5a8732a14f7b791dc2c6d102563/tuan-le-an-toan.jpg ""Safe motherhood week" held in Chư Pưh Commune. Photo: Thu Loan")
Community engagement
In early October, Đức Cơ Commune Health Center, in collaboration with the Ia Krêl Commune People’s Committee, launched the 2025 safe motherhood week. The event attracted more than 100 women of reproductive age, featuring reproductive health counseling, free screenings, and postpartum care workshops.
Deputy Director of CDC Gia Lai, Nguyễn Văn Đồng, said the CDC has also launched a social media campaign, distributed educational leaflets, and organized a knowledge contest titled “Safe motherhood - Raising healthy children,” reinforcing the message that “every mother and every child deserves safe care.”
Long-term goals
Safe motherhood week is implemented nationwide under Project 7-Public healthcare, part of Vietnam’s national target program for 2025 - 2030. Gia Lai aims to reduce maternal mortality to below 35 per 100,000 live births and ensure 98% of births are attended by medical staff by 2030.
(Note: VND 1,000,000 ≈ USD 39.50)
