Focusing Healthcare in Can Tho, Vietnam

Can Tho, Vietnam, has become one of largest and fastest growing cities along the Mekong Delta. With a population reaching over 1.25 million people according to the World Bank Report in 2014 and the Can Tho City CPC (2014). Poverty levels are moderate and annually decreasing (Carrard et al., 2012), although the extent to which migrant workers and informal settlement residents in rural areas are remain uncertain according the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DOLISA) in Vietnam. Over 140,000 people live below the poverty line, measured by the World Bank, with numbers doubling in uncertainty from unaccounted ethnic minority settlers’ expressed in a statement by DOLISA. The poor live in the most vulnerable areas; poor households do not prioritize disaster risk as they have more pressing, basic problems related to health and livelihoods. With a higher poverty rate stemming from ethnic minorities they become a high-priority target group for poverty reduction safety net programs (DOLISA). Different community groups are represented by mass organizations such as the Women’s Union, People with Disabilities’ Association, Farmers’ Association and the Can Tho Union of Friendship Organization who reach out to organizations for assistance in helping provide care to the poor. In 2016 PVNF initiated its project in the districts of Vinh Thanh and Co Do, treating over 3500 patients and providing over $50,000 USD in medical and dental supplies and pharmaceuticals during the Spring 2016 humanitarian outreach in March. PVNF has also committed its Summer Service Camp program this June – July to continue to provide the needed healthcare in the rural districts. US Medical Doctors volunteering for the Spring 2016 medical mission to Co Do and Vinh Thanh Districts in Can Tho, evaluated and treated numerous cases pertaining to high blood pressure, diabetes and anemia. US Dentist performed thousands of procedures ranging from extractions, fillings and cleaning. This outreach is the first of many projects that will take place with the partnership between CTUF and PVNF. The Summer Service Camp this June will continue free health services by launching a training program in Women’s Health, Hygiene, Diabetes Prevention, and Folic Acid Awareness to help prevent newborn deformities like cleft lip and palate, and introduce a campaign to provide sunglasses to people at risk for cataracts. Several medical doctors and dentist will accompany the students during this service camp to provide healthcare and health education to the poor. The goal of PVNF is to make accessible free health services to the elderly, children, disabled people and other vulnerable groups who are at higher health risk due to limited access to public services. Building a relationship with the local officials is important; PVNF with 20 years of service to Vietnam continues to collaborate with local hospitals and committees to expand the reach of providing healthcare and train health professionals in medical advancement.