The National Action Programme for Nursing and Midwifery for the 2013 –2020 period has manifested the Vietnamese Government’s strong commitmentto accelerate the progress of fulfilling millennium development goals,especially saving maternal and new-born lives.

Itwas highlighted at a symposium in Hanoi on May 29, co-hosted by theMinistry of Health (MoH) and the United Nations Population Fund inVietnam (UNPFA).

Addressing the event, DeputyHealth Minister Le Quang Cuong said the programme acknowledges theimportance of nurses and midwives in the health care system andencourages them to provide high-quality medical services. This will helpsave more lives, especially those living in mountainous and ethnicpeople-resided areas.

Delegates pointed out challenges that need to be addressed to improve the role of medical staff working in this field.

Mandeep K.O’Brien, UNPFA acting chief representative, stressed theimportance of investment in medical workers, especially those working innursing and midwifery, saying that it is a cost-effective strategy.

MoH and UNPFA representatives pledged to lessen inequality inaccessing medical services by 2015, especially among vulnerable groups.

Two years before the deadline for fulfilling themillennium development goals, the Government, UN, development partners,the private sector and social organisations are urged to work closelytogether for a fair health care service in Vietnam.-VNA