International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Steps taken by Vietnam to improve its child mortality rate as part of its Millennium Development Goals have proven highly successful, the country's Ministry of Health has claimed.

Luu Thi Hong, deputy director of the ministry's Maternal and Child Care Department, stated the efforts made by the nation have been recognised by the World Health Organisation and the United Nation's Children's Fund, Vietnam News reports.

The mortality rate for children aged under one has fallen by around two-thirds between 1990 and 2008, from 4.4 per cent to 1.6 per cent, far exceeding its Millennium Development Goal of 2.5 per cent by 2010.

However, Ms Hong stated there is still much work to be done to improve nutrition in the country, as Vietnam still has 2.1 million stunted and 1.3 million underweight children, as well as a rising obesity problem.

She also noted improvements in mortality rates varied wildly across the regions, with mountainous areas often having rates up to three times higher than on the plains.

Posted by David Smith