The aid is provided by the Japan Social Development Fund for the “Strengthening preparedness and response to COVID-19 at the grassroots level in Viet Nam” Project will benefit 270,000 people with at least 3,500 people from vulnerable groups in three provinces namely Vinh Phuc, Khanh Hoa, and Long An.

“The grassroots health system plays a crucial role as the front-line defense against epidemics and pandemics,” said Rahul Kitchlu, the World Bank Acting Country Director for Viet Nam. The ongoing Covid-19 is exposing some gaps of such system and highlights the need for capacity upgrades as a country’s COVID-19 response system needs to be strong at all levels.

The project will focus on strengthening the capacities of commune health stations with the provision of equipment and skills. It will help health workers get better at early detection of suspected cases and conduct an epidemiological investigation while minimizing cross-infection within the health facilities. It will also help ensure the continuity of essential health care services provided during the pandemic.

An innovative element of this project is the pilot interventions to address the needs of the most vulnerable groups during the pandemic including elderly people in urban areas, ethnic minorities, informal workers, people living with HIV/AIDS, drug users, and female sex workers.

It will leverage volunteer networks to reach about 3,500 people of these groups, offering them information about COVID-19 detection and prevention measures, psychological support, and in-kind assistance such as food, medication, and protective equipment.

The three-year project will last in December 2024./.