(VNF) - Certificate of Merit was recently awarded to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Vietnam in recognition of the organization in ensuring safe maternal health in disadvantaged area.

Deputy Minister of Health, Nguyen Viet Tien presents Certificate of Recognition to UNFPA Representative in Vietnam, Astrid Bant (source: UNFPA Vietnam)

On behalf of UNFPA Vietnam, Astrid Bant, representative of the organization, received the certificate from Vice Minister of Health, Nguyen Viet Tien in Viet Nam in the Awarding Ceremony for outstanding Village-based midwives held in Hanoi on February 28, on occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Village-based midwives programme.

Village-Based Midwives was developed from an initiative of the Tu Du hospital (HCM.City) in 1992, aiming reduce the number of maternal death in remote areas, which are partly caused by the shortage of skilled birth attendants and health care workers. The key activity of the programme is to recruit and train local women to become village-based midwives.

In the last 25 years, the programme has received valuable supports from international partners, such as UNFPA, the European Union and World Bank./.

( Phi Yen )