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On 30/11/2011, in Hanoi, VPHA conducted the Executive Committee’s regular meeting in 2011. At the meeting, VPHA has reviewed the operation in 2011, share-oriented activities in 2012 and aims to celebrate the 10th anniversary of VPHA’s foundation. Prof. Duong Dinh Thien, VPHA’s President and Prof/Dr. Le Vu Anh, Standing Vice President co-chaired the meeting.
In 2011, VPHA’s programs have been implemented quite efficiently with the cooperation of the provincial public health association (PPHA) network. VPHA held the national and local workshops summarizing the results of the program to prevent dioxin exposure through food for people in four hotspot wards in Da Nang. The local government and Military Division 372 committed to maintain the program’s activities. In tobacco control, VPHA and PPHAs still actively advocate for approving Tobacco Control Draft Law. The program "Developing a model to strengthen the policy enforcement through enhancing implementation of reproductive health care policy for adolescents and youths in Dong Thap" also achieved success in promoting the health policy implementation at local level, and enhancing the prestige of VPHA and the Dong Thap PPHA. In addition, the "Public Health Initiative to promote the elderly’s health in Vietnam" deployed by VPHA and Tien Hai district PHA in Tien Hai town and Phuong Cong commune also received the support of local authorities and communities. In 2011, the contest namely “Elderly for a healthy and cheerful village” for the elderly members has been responded and encouraged by the elderly and community.
 The Executive Committee’s regular meeting on 30/11/2011
In addition to the above programs, Communication Initiatives also supported the PPHAs to continue to deploy multiple effective communication and advocacy programs such as: cervical cancer prevention for reproductive age women of ethnic minorities (Binh Dinh), nutrition for the elderly (Dong Nai), hand foot and mouth disease (in Da Nang and Binh Dinh) communication on injuries in agriculture, hypertension and health services and employment for disabled persons (Thai Binh) ... However, some PPHAs have not taken advantages and brought into the play the program resources.
The VPHA’s communication activities remain effective. Vietnam Journal of Public Health has been presented to researchers in the region. In particular, this year, it has released two special issues with the translation of the Lancet Journal publications, attracting the attention of readers. The Vietnamese and English Newsletters are widely distributed to readers and are updated on the website of the World Federation of Public Health Association. VPHA also has planned to improve other communication channels such as websites, Face book, and VPHA forum. The VPHA’s 7th Scientific Conference with over 500 national and international participants was organized with other satellite conferences in the event celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Hanoi School of Public Health.
In 2012, VPHA along with the provincial network of PPHAs will continue to strengthen the network, the capacity of members, deploy tobacco control, dioxin exposure through food prevention program, promote elderly’s health etc. VPHA will also focus on communication, policy advocacy activities.
Representatives of the PPHAs from Khanh Hoa Province, Dong Thap, Hai Duong, Ho Chi Minh City and the Executive Committee members shared the experience on the implementation of the Public Health programs, advocacy, promotion activities, giving the proactive opinions on concerned health issues. The participants mentioned the difficulties in the operation, personnel, Public Health issues of local concern such as border health, one health issues, climate change, food safety, industrial parks and industrial clusters environment... The participants all agreed that beside the common programs, the PPHAs should take advantage of their own strengths to implement the local characterized programs in order to create the diversity in the activities of the VPHA network.
A communication session about hand foot and mouth disease in Da Nang
Also at the meeting, participants agreed that the 3rd Congress, 8th Annual National Scientific Conference will be held at the same time with the event celebrating the 10-year anniversary of VPHA. This will be a milestone to review on VPHA’s achievements, to improve the organization and set goals for the new period of its development.
Concluding the meeting, Prof. Le Vu Anh thanked the Executive Committee members who attended and contributed comments to improve the quality of VPHA’s activities. Some PPHAs which have been operating effectively contribute to improving the VPHA’s reputation. In the coming time, VPHA will focus on activities to promote communication, advocacy and actively prepare for the 3rd national congress of VPHA’s representatives and its 10-year anniversary in 2012.
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