Lai Chau: Launching the study “Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Early Journey of Life Programme Adapted for Ethnic Minority Areas on Child Development in Lai Chau”.

On 11 May, the Lai Chau Department of Health and the Lai Chau provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD) and Monash University (Australia), organized a research partner meeting on “Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Early Journey of Life Programme Adapted for Ethnic Minority Areas on Child Development in Lai Chau”. The program was attended by leaders of the Department of Health, Lai Chau CDC, representatives of local authorities, Commune Health Stations, as well as research experts from RTCCD and Monash University (Australia).

The activity marked an important milestone in promoting multi-sectoral collaboration to improve the quality of early childhood development in ethnic minority communities in Lai Chau — where children and families continue to face many barriers in accessing knowledge and skills related to healthcare, nutrition, and child development support.

At the meeting, Mr. Tran Do Kien, Specialist Level II Doctor, Director of the Lai Chau provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, shared information on the current situation of maternal and child healthcare in the province.

The implementation of the study in Lai Chau is expected to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model for ethnic minority communities. At the same time, the study also aims to create opportunities to strengthen the capacity of the grassroots health system through the integration of support activities for children in their early years.

To better understand the local context, Mr. Nguyen The Phong, Vice Director of the Lai Chau Department of Health, together with Commune Health Workers at commune/ward level, discussed the research implementation plan to ensure its suitability with the cultural, social, and contextual characteristics of ethnic minority communities across the province, while also reaching agreement on the research procedures.

Speaking at the meeting, Professor Jane Fisher, representative of Monash University (Australia), emphasized the importance of investing in early childhood development based on scientific evidence, especially in disadvantaged areas such as ethnic minority communities. Professor Fisher also highly appreciated the collaboration of agencies and partners in Viet Nam in developing intervention models that are appropriate to local conditions, aiming toward sustainably improving the quality of life for mothers and children.

Also during the partner meeting, Ms. Tran Thi Thu Ha, Director of RTCCD, shared that the Early Journey of Life Programme is a long-term effort to accompany parents and communities in caring for, nurturing, and supporting the comprehensive development of young children.

Through this, RTCCD hopes that the study in Lai Chau will contribute further practical evidence, thereby expanding opportunities for access to comprehensive child development support solutions for children in ethnic minority and disadvantaged areas in Viet Nam, helping to create a better environment where every child has the opportunity to receive care from the earliest years of life.