In the past six months, Viet Nam has recorded the highest number of daily infections in Southeast Asia; in many provinces, COVID-19 is reaching new peaks. With rising cases and a mounting death toll, healthcare workers have reached their capacity to treat and vaccinate the population.
After months of fighting the fourth COVID-19 outbreak, most hospitals ran low on personal protective equipment (PPE), risking the safety of frontline health workers and the maintenance of essential health services. Pregnant women and infants born during the pandemic are highly vulnerable due to strained health systems and disruptions of services.
"Due to the high concentration of businesses and workers, the pandemic has hit industrial provinces particularly hard. Most facilities have been heavily affected by the fourth wave, and have run out of PPE and hazmat suits,” said Tien Duc, the Deputy Director of Binh Duong General Hospital. "With hundreds of new cases daily, the isolation area is overwhelmed.”
In response to the need, Alive & Thrive, with funding from the Government of Ireland, provided PPE and breastfeeding support packages for 30 hospitals. PPE support helped better protect frontline healthcare workers and patients, especially mothers and newborns.
PPE is transported to health workers in Hue Central Hospital.
Dak Lak COVID-19 treatment field hospital, with an 1000-bed capacity, received PPE amid the severe outbreak in November 2021.
Masks and protective suits were in short supply at Ca Mau Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, which was involved in Ca Mau province's epidemic prevention and control efforts.
Ms. Hat, a housewife who has volunteered at Binh Duong General Hospital during the pandemic shared, "I was worried at first. The pandemic broke out so quickly that volunteers, vaccines, and supplies were scarce. Still, seeing the medical staff working overtime, I was determined to support in any way I could. Staff had to purchase PPE with our own money. So now we feel more secure to continue the fight against COVID-19.”
Ms. Tam, the Head of the Social Work Department at Binh Son COVID-19 Treatment Hospital, explained that the PPE shortage has caused the hospital to limit the number of staff in the treatment area per shift. “Each doctor and nurse are in charge of all the patients' examinations, testing, medicine, food, and utensils. Although it means a heavier workload, it ensures safety and maintains supply for all staff.”
Nhat Le, a mother giving birth at Quang Ngai Province Obstetrics and Children's Hospital appreciated the medical staff’s care and precautions during her experience. "During my antenatal check-ups, birth, and postpartum care, the staff screened me carefully. I always had masks, sanitizer, and goggles. I was able to breastfeed my baby immediately after birth and benefit from skin-to-skin contact.”
"Proper equipment is vital to maintain breastfeeding during the pandemic. Many mothers with COVID-19 are too ill to breastfeed their children directly. Breastmilk pumps and storage bags make it easier to bring expressed breastmilk to infants during this critical time,” explained Ms. Phuong, the Head of General Planning Department at Tien Giang Provincial Maternity Hospital.
“The allocation of breastfeeding equipment in the isolation area requires strict hygiene and disinfection to avoid cross-infection. Equipment like personal breastmilk pumps and sterilized milk bags help keep mothers and babies in COVID-19 treatment areas safe," says Ms. Tuyen, a midwife in the isolation area at Quang Ngai Hospital. Here, she uses PPE as she feeds a baby with expressed breastmilk.
“Support from donors and non-government organizations is an enormous help. PPE protects our community against this pandemic,” shares Giang Le, the President of Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations. The recent PPE donation is the largest that Can Tho province has received since the start of the pandemic.
“The recent surge in cases is receding, but hospitals continue to need PPE and technical assistance on new COVID-19 treatment guidance for pregnant women and infants. We are pleased to provide this assistance, thanks to the generous support of the Government of Ireland,” says Linh Phan, Regional Associate Director of Alive & Thrive’s Southeast Asia office.
“The Government of Ireland is glad to help the people of Viet Nam during this challenging time. COVID-19 has had a severe impact on health systems around the world, and we are proud to support safety at hospitals for frontline healthcare workers and patients. This is a meaningful way to mark 25 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Ireland," states Ireland’s Ambassador to Viet Nam, John McCullagh.
We must work together to support COVID-19 response and recovery!
Credits:
Alive & Thrive