National consultative workshop on Mobile Integrated Early Childhood Development

MIECD is an important initiative of Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) programme, which is linked to a strong multi-sectoral and inter-ministerial approach to ensure early nurturing of children as enshrined in the new Child's Law. MIECD is a modern innovative mobile technology system, which has strong oversight and evidence generation capacity for the implementation of IECD. MIECD, which allows real time data collection and analysis of vital information about mothers and children, will also provide complete decision support for health workers for appropriate and timely actions at critical points of care to save mother and children's lives.

In addition, high telephone coverage in Viet Nam allows MIECD to overcome geographical barriers to reach the most vulnerable children in remote and isolated areas, contributing significantly to addressing widening equity disparities on healthcare and service access among different population groups and across geographic lines in Viet Nam.

Given the importance of advancing modern innovative mobile technology in IECD implementation, the workshop was held to provide a forum for a wide array of stakeholders for inclusive discussions, deliberations, and dialogue on roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders to ensure a constructive, ongoing coordination in planning and implementation process of MIECD. The Workshop also took the opportunity to announce the Decision from the Ministry of Health on the establishment of MIECD Technical Working Group (TWG), which will play a key role in quality assurance of technical aspects in MIECD implementation.

"I believe this is an important milestone in the MIECD development process, contributing to the overarching IECD agenda in Viet Nam. The workshop will create an enabling environment and a significant national-provincial linkage to ensure the success of MIECD for the benefits of Vietnamese children who are the leaders of our future, our tomorrow." Dr. Friday Achilefu Nwaigwe, Chief of Child Survival and Development, UNICEF Viet Nam emphasized at the workshop.

MIECD will be piloted in 27 most disadvantaged communes in three provinces in the Northwest and Central Highlands of Viet Nam- Kon Tum, Gia Lai, and Dien Bien. The initiative expects to have significant impact on the life of 35,000 children from 0-8 years of age and 25,000 parents and caregivers. The first phase of implementation will start with the deployment of two modules focusing on maternal child health and nutrition, with clear objectives "No woman should die in pregnancy due to preventable causes" and "Elimination of stunting in Viet Nam". Other modules on areas of WASH, education, and child protection will soon follow.

For more information, please contact:

• Đỗ Thu Thuỷ, Ministry of Health; +84-915833340; email: dothuthuyvaac@gmail.com
• Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hương, UNICEF Việt Nam, 84-4-38500225; +84-904154678; email: ntthuong@unicef.org