Within the framework of cooperation between the Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD) and the Can Tho City Centre for Disease Control (CDC), a training course for 44 health staff was held from October 28–30, 2025.
Participants included staff from the Vinh Thanh Regional Medical Center, the Thot Not Regional Medical Center, and all Commune Health Stations in the former Thot Not and Vinh Thanh districts.
Dr. Tran Thi Thu Hong, Specialist Level I and lecturer from the Can Tho City CDC, shared an important development regarding the training scope:
“During discussions with the leadership of the two district-level Regional Medical Centers, we agreed that the program should not only be implemented at commune health stations but also in the Obstetrics and Pediatrics departments and outpatient clinics of the Regional Medical Centers. After the recent administrative merger, these centers continue to conduct immunization services and now include Obstetrics and Pediatrics units — ideal places for providing counseling to families. Therefore, the CDC decided to expand the training to include more health workers from these centers.”
Despite heavy rain, participants traveled long distances and arrived early to avoid missing any sessions. Many stayed late to practice the full training content. They found the lessons highly practical and relevant, praising the lecturer’s engaging and supportive approach tailored to the needs of commune-level health workers.
Ms. Le Sua, a commune health staff member, emphasized the program’s community value:
“The program is excellent and truly necessary. We will report to our leaders to implement it soon. The goal is for every couple who receives this guidance to become community communicators, spreading the message and encouraging others to learn from the program.”
Ms. To Thi Bich Nga, from Thot Not Commune Health Station, highlighted the effectiveness of the hands-on approach:
“The practical training method gives me more confidence in counseling families about childcare. Caring for children aged 0–5 is not only about love and attention but also about being prepared for emergency situations at home.”
Ms. Thanh Hien, from the Vinh Thanh Medical Center, reflected on a key lesson:
“All the content was valuable, but the most striking message was ‘No screen-based devices during the first two years.’ With the rapid growth of the Internet, many families are unaware that early screen exposure can negatively affect a child’s language and mental development, as well as their vision.”
The program uses a simple QR-code reporting system that takes less than five minutes to complete, ensuring it does not interfere with other routine tasks at the commune level. The Can Tho City CDC plans to issue an official directive for integrating the “Early Journey of Life” [1](Hành trình đầu đời) program into routine immunization activities.
With this strong commitment, the program is expected to achieve significant success across Can Tho City over the next three years.
