On the afternoon of March 18, 2026, at Duc Giang General Hospital (Hanoi), a key event took place in response to Universal Health Day 2026, simultaneously announcing an official grant from the Government of Ireland. This funding aims to replicate the hospital’s “Center of Excellence for Breastfeeding” model across Southeast Asian countries.

Transforming the healthcare mindset towards Universal Health Day

According to Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW, April 7, 2026, is officially Universal Health Day with the theme “Proactive disease prevention – For a healthy Vietnam”. The event marks a strategic shift in the healthcare sector: from a treatment-focused mindset to proactively improving health, early disease prevention, and life-cycle care. This is an optimal direction regarding professional expertise, health economics, and responsibility for the nation’s future.

The core role of nutrition and essential newborn care

According to the Leaders of the Ministry of Health, nutritional care for mothers and children plays a foundational and particularly important role. The sustainable development of any nation depends on ensuring the younger generation’s right to optimal nourishment. Specifically, newborns need access to breast milk, essential newborn care, and high-quality medical services from the moment they are born.

Practical effectiveness and international support resources

In the field of maternal and child health and nutrition, the companionship of the Government and the Embassy of Ireland is of great significance. The continued commitment of an additional 900,000 Euros has raised Ireland’s total support from 2017 to present to 7.8 million Euros. This investment not only solves the resource problem but also reflects a profound development vision: investing in early nutrition is investing in population quality and the nation’s future.

Thanks to effective coordination, practical implementation has created a strong ripple effect:

• A network of hundreds of participating hospitals.
• Many medical facilities nationwide are achieving the Center of Excellence for Breastfeeding standard.
• Thousands of medical staff are receiving in-depth professional training.
• Tens of thousands of vulnerable newborns have the opportunity to access safe donated milk.

The synchronous combination of policy and practical models has brought remarkable positive results. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Vietnam has increased from 17% (in 2012) to approximately 45% (in 2020). Along with that, the stunting rate in children has also decreased from 25% (in 2012) to 18.1% (in 2024).

The Government of Ireland continues its support

A representative of the Government of Ireland emphasized: The new funding will help expand regional cooperation on early childhood nutrition. In the coming time, the health sector will continue to replicate the “Center of Excellence for Breastfeeding” and the human milk bank network, aiming towards a sustainable health foundation for future generations.