Samaritan’s Purse is educating local midwives in rural Vietnam on how to care for young mothers.
Pregnant mothers in the remote mountains of Vietnam face many challenges when giving birth and caring for their newborn children. Clinics are often located far from these mothers, and many women are not familiar with seeking out medical attention during and after pregnancy. Many choose to give birth at home, which can in some cases be dangerous, particularly if they have not seen a medical specialist earlier. Limited maternal health care services and lack of medical education can make childbirth and childcare difficult, increasing maternal and infant mortality.
Nestled in the northwest corner of Vietnam, Samaritan’s Purse is educating local traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to reach isolated pregnant women with helpful resources and information on safe and sanitary childbirth practices. Beyond this, each TBA is taught the value of love and integrity in their service to mothers and their infants.
Mothers in Vietnam’s highlands can have peace of mind knowing that their local TBAs are well-trained.
Lan, a midwife with over 28 years of clinical experience in maternity care, recently taught a group of 35 local TBAs in a training event hosted by Samaritan’s Purse. She recalled some incidents where she watched mothers die in their homes because of unsuitable conditions. “This reminds me why I need to dedicate myself to this work,” she expressed.
“Even if I can help one woman going through a complicated pregnancy, by sharing my own knowledge and experience with them, it is worth it because I can take an active role in saving the lives of women during childbirth,” Lan said.
Lan, right, is passionate about training TBAs in remote areas of Vietnam.
In her training, Lan encourages each TBA to communicate to the pregnant women using their native language so that they feel comfortable expressing their emotions and needs to them. This region of Vietnam is quite diverse ethnically, so several different languages are spoken.
Throughout the weeklong training, Giang, the youngest trainee at the event, developed into a passionate and knowledgeable TBA ready to serve her community.
“Through my training with Samaritan’s Purse, I am able to stand in front of a class and share knowledge I acquired with the other TBAs,” Giang said. “I used to be shy…but now I am more excited to share my new knowledge with others.”
Giang is one of the many TBAs to leave empowered and well-equipped by the Samaritan’s Purse training event.
One mother came to the event to express her gratitude for TBAs in her community.
“Having a traditional birth attendant in my village gives me peace of mind,” said Ha, a young mother from a remote district in the mountains of Vietnam. “Whenever my daughter gets sick, I call the TBA for advice on how to take better care of my daughter.”
Ha, a 22-year-old mother, expresses her gratitude and relief to have trained TBAs in her remote region.
The dozens of women who attend our educational trainings leave better equipped to serve their communities and provide for vulnerable mothers. Through practical lessons and encouraging words, these TBAs can now help save lives and preserve future generations, all the while sharing kindness and truth.
Please pray for the continuing work of Samaritan’s Purse in many areas of Vietnam.
