Field visit to Nong and Sepone in Laos: What wonderful developments!
Positive developments in Nong and Sepone
Last May, I traveled to Laos together with Marloes Zwagerman from the AFAS-Foundation to visit the municipality of Nong and Sepone with my Laotian colleagues – Joy, Fine, Sivone and Done. We particularly visited the villages where MCNV and the AFAS Foundation support the Mother & Child program. A special visit because a private foundation such as the AFAS-Foundation has never visited the program before. The responsibility for clean water, latrines, medical care and attention to nutrition is taken seriously not only by the local partners we work with, but especially by the villagers themselves. They have gained the experience that they can contribute to these positive developments themselves and that is the most important condition for success.
Nong will continue on his own from 2025
In 2006 – at the request of the border province of Savannakhet (in Laos) – we started providing assistance to the municipality of Nong. The activities at that time were mainly aimed at improving food security. Gradually it became apparent that more was needed and so we started looking for new financing. In 2016, we submitted an initial application to the AFAS-Foundation to realise multi- year plans for food security, better child health and structural changes for the families in Nong. The application was honored and the program was successfully implemented. A second application followed in 2021 and we are now in the final year of our second partnership. Bringing about changes requires a lot of patience and a lot of money, this is a good example of that. At the end of 2024, we will transfer responsibilities to our local Laotian partners in the municipality and the province. We have thus achieved our goal in Nong and we are convinced that the program with all its activities is strongly rooted and will continue to develop.
Sepone would like our support and cooperation for the coming years
In the Municipality of Sepone, we started the Mother & Child program in ten villages almost three years ago, a similar program to that in Nong. Developments are moving rapidly and major steps have been taken. The villages we visited looked clean, equipped with latrines, running water, and vegetable gardens. Clean water in particular is such an important basis for health and hygiene and makes growing more food close to home possible. We received a great contribution from our MCNV-donors for this purpose in December last year and this money was well spent!
Our question to you
The head of the villages, village health workers and other key figures explained in detail what has been done, how people experience it, how important knowledge and skills are, that there is more shared responsibility and of course they also indicated what else is needed.
We therefore want to continue with the activities in Sepone in the near future. We are currently working on a new application for financial support from the AFAS-Foundation. Your contributions are also indispensable.
That is why we ask in this newsletter to make an extra donation to continue these activities in the field of water and sanitation, care for mother & child and food security.
Many thanks in advance for the extra gift,
Karin Vlug, also on behalf of Joy, Fine, Sivone &Done
Independent future
The experience that MCNV has built up with successful projects means that the government in Laos is gradually showing the willingness to continue and co-finance these activities. It is one of the objectives and principles of MCNV that government involvement in more remote areas increases and that the government increasingly recognizes the importance of a healthy population, even where people are difficult to reach for existing national programs. such as vaccinations. With our interventions, MCNV wants to bring about change in the health system.
By investing now in training and resources, developments can be sustainably integrated into the existing (health) system, ultimately financed by the local and national Lao governments.
Experience Sharing Workshop on providing services for peoples with disabilities
July 11th, 2024 – As part of the Inclusion 1 project, an Eperience Sharing Workshop on providing services for peoples with disabilities is organized by the Medical Committee Netherlands – Vietnam (MCNV), bringing together nearly 100 delegates.
MCNV Country Director, Mr.Pham Dung speaks at the event.
The participants were delegates from the Center for Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP); project implementing partners from the AAI Alliance (RCI, ACDC, VNHIP, Thien Nhan Rehabilitation Center, RENEW), MCNV, representatives from provincial Departments of Health, expert consultants, hospitals and health centers with staff directly involved in service provision from the 3 project provinces Quang Tri, Thua Thien – Hue, and Quang Nam.
The workshop agenda focused on sharing results: Presentation of achievements from Inclusion 1 Phase 2a, along with the target indicator and action plan for Phase 2B, experience sharing and discussion on improving the quality of service delivery in the following areas:
o Home-based rehabilitation services
o Home-based care services
o Provision of prostheses, orthoses and assistive devices
o Implementation of multidisciplinary team rehabilitation models at healthcare facilities.
Mr.Tran Hung Minh, Deputy Director of CCIHP, Chief of Inclusion 1 Project, speaks at the event
The discussions were facilitated by Mr. Pham Dung (MPH, MD), Country Director of MCNV Vietnam and Ms. Tran Thu Thuy, Deputy Director of Inclusion 1 Project – MCNV.
Inclusion 1 Project funded by the United States Agency for International Development, owned by the National Action Centre for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET), managed by the Center of Creative Initiatives in Health and Population. The Medical Committee Netherlands – Vietnam (MCNV) is one of the implementing partners.
The workshop was a platform for the project stakeholders to deliver insightful presentations on the operation and results of the Inclusion 1 project and discussed the suggestion for improvement in providing quality services to persons with disabilities./.
*More photo from the events:
Vacancy: Member of Supervisory Board
MCNV is looking for a new member of the Supervisory Board. The task of the Supervisory Board is to ensure that the efforts of the MCNV make an optimal contribution towards the mission of MCNV:
“To contribute to the structural improvement of the health of disadvantaged groups in South East Asia by developing evidence-based participatory models that build capacity and focus on the major determinants of population health.”
More details are available in the following PDF file:
Vacancy - MCNV supervisory board member
Vietnamese Farmers Gain Farming Insights from Holland
A delegation from the Vietnam Farmers’ Union (VNFU) recently embarked on a study tour to the Netherlands, as part of the Tropical Fruit Quality Project. This visit, which took place from June 7th to 15th, 2024, aimed to equip Vietnamese farmers with the cutting-edge tools and techniques needed to navigate the challenges of climate change and propel their agricultural practices to the forefront of global efficiency and sustainability.
The delegation including representatives of VNFU and MCNV visits Eurofins Agro.
The delegation’s itinerary delved deep into the diverse aspects of the Dutch agricultural sector, including the integration of advanced technologies into agricultural processes, the intricacies of international agricultural logistics; alignment of fruit production practices with the requirements of international importers and experience sharing on climate-smart solutions.
The delegation was led by Ms. Bui Thi Thom, Vice President of the VNFU Executive Committee, comprising representatives from the Farmers’ Unions of project provinces (Dong Thap, Ben Tre, Long An, and Binh Thuan) alongside MCNV’s project coordinator.
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The delegation’s journey began at the Hoeve Ackerdijk multi-purpose organic farm in Delft on June 7th. This model farm showcased the transformative potential of organic practices, demonstrating positive environmental impacts like improved water quality, increased biodiversity, and reduced carbon emissions. Additionally, the farm impressed with its efficient irrigation technology, advanced disease management strategies, and the combination with other services that foster farmers-citizen connection, such as a childcare facility, a nature conservation zone, and renewable energy generation.
This visit served as a testament to the high level of technological adoption by Dutch farmers and their commitment to meeting market demands while safeguarding the environment.
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On June 10th, the delegation gained insight of the international agricultural logistics and market demand through a meeting with the Logistic Business Partners (LBP) Company in Rotterdam. The delegation learned about post-shipment vinegar ripening and packaging systems, quality control measures.
A fascinating fact was discovered since many agricultural products imported through LBP, such as sugarcane, chili peppers, turmeric, and aloe vera – the crops that Vietnam possesses vast potential to export. This underscored the importance of understanding import market demands and developing effective marketing strategies for Vietnamese farmers to tap into the global marketplace.
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The delegation’s quest for knowledge continued at the Wageningen University & Research on June 11th to learn about plant protection solutions for fruits based on flexible greenhouses, sensor-based irrigation management technology, application of satellite data, soil scanning, climate data and weather forecasting.
On the same day, the delegation worked with RMA Company to learn about irrigation management technology based on soil moisture sensors, weather stations, and data application for effective irrigation advice. These technologies are well-suited for large cooperative models and for high-value crops.
On June 12, the delegation worked with Eurofins Agro in Wageningen. The center provides services to support farmers and growers in improving their farming systems and assists food and feed companies in sustainable production. In particular, Eurofins Agro has strengths in in-depth soil health research and deep insights to support more sustainable farming practices.
This is also a place where soil analysis techniques are continuously developed, including near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology or the detailed determination of parameters such as total organic carbon in soil, soil fertility, nutrient reserves, pollutants in soil and in crops, as a basis for guiding farmers in making decisions and minimizing risks.
In the time to come, the project will continue to collaborate with the VNFU to expand Eurofins’ soil testing services to more farmers in the project’s provinces, making it easier for farmers to access this valuable technology. This is the most fundamental scientific foundation for farmers to understand and step by step apply advanced knowledge to change agricultural cultivation methods.
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On June 13, the delegation visited the Greentech exhibition, learning about and visiting booths introducing high-tech solutions in agriculture such as sensor systems, automatic fertilization, vertical racks, transportation management systems, automatic product sorting systems, drones for farm management, vertical garden systems, hydroponic systems, and farm monitoring systems. The delegation visited and learned about the booth introducing Fruit Logistica fair – a trade “bridge” attracting a large number of fruit importers and exporters from around the world held annually in Berlin, Germany in February.
Ms. Bui Thi Thom, VNFU Vice President, emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing and practical application: “Farmers who can witness the results of these high-tech models firsthand will be more receptive to adopting them in their own practices. The VNFU is hopeful that collaboration with the Netherlands can lead to the establishment of pilot projects in Vietnam, allowing farmers to gain firsthand experience and raise awareness of the transformative potential of agricultural technology.”
According to Vice President of VNFU, the Vietnamese government, recognizing the critical role of technology in ensuring farmer well-being and sustainable agricultural development, strongly encourages technology adoption in the sector. The VNFU, representing over 10 million members and farmers, plays a crucial role in promoting and facilitating the integration of science and technology into agricultural practices.
Ms.Bui Thi Thom also emphasized that to enhance the effectiveness of communication and assist farmers in adopting new technologies, particularly soil testing. As part of the Tropical Fruit Quality Project, VNFU, through collaborative efforts with government agencies, businesses, and enterprises, will organize promotional and training activities to further empower Vietnamese farmers.
The Tropical Fruit Quality Improvement Project is financially sponsored by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, implemented in 04 provinces of Binh Thuan, Long An, Ben Tre and Dong Thap. The Medical Committee Netherlands – Vietnam (MCNV) plays an important role in coordinating and facilitating the flow of advanced technology and information from leading EU technical partners to Vietnam, that benefits Vietnamese farmers and fruit exporters./.
MCNV promotes communication on rehabilitation
On May 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 2024, as part of the Inclusion 1 Project, MCNV in coordination with the Departments of Health of Quang Nam, Thua Thien – Hue, and Quang Tri provinces organized a series of workshop on Rehabilitation (rehab) for better quality of life.
Delegates at the workshop held in Quang Tri, May 23th, 2024.
The series of workshop was organized to motivate and attract the attention of management and leadership of local health department and medical facilities to the importance of investing in increasing manpower; expanding coverage and improving the quality of rehab services of their units in order to contribute to the development of the local rehab system.
Through presentations, the workshops provided participants with knowledge about several rehab fields, including Physical Medicine, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy, in terms of their development history, concepts, clients, scope of application, role in multidisciplinary team rehab, human resources development in Vietnam.
MCNV Country Director, Mr.Pham Dung, MD, MPH, provides an overview of rehab.
These contents were presented by lecturers and experts in the field of rehab across Vietnam, such as Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hai Duong Medical Technical University, An Binh Hospital, and MCNV.
In particular, the discussion session helped to clarify various misconception and misunderstanding of rehab, thereby helping participants to have a thorough and accurate understanding of the nature of rehab, the its specialized fields and the need to provide multidisciplinary team rehab services.
Based on these issues, delegates were engaged in discussion about local rehab development policies and identify the advantages, challenges , and actions needed to further develop local rehab system and services.
Inclusion 1 Project funded by the United States Agency for International Development, owned by the National Action Center for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET), managed by the Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population. The Medical Committee Netherlands – Vietnam (MCNV) is one of the implementing partners.
More photos from the workshop:
Dr.Ha Chan Nhan, MD, Head of the Rehabilitation Department, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, speaks about Physical Medicine.
Dr.Le Khanh Dien, Head of the Rehabilitation Faculty, An Binh hospital, speaks about the role and clients of Speech and Language Therapy.
Ms.Le Thi Kim Phuong, Master of PT, Lecturer – Hai Duong Medical Technical University, speaks about the role and clients of PT
Mr. Nguyen Khac Tuan, MOT, Lecturer, Hai Duong Medical Technical University, speaks about the role and clients of OT.
Panel Discussion
![[Eng sub] Home-based care services](https://mcnv.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/thumbnail-DDooj.png "[Eng sub] Home-based care services")
