To contribute to improving the capacity of the grassroots level, the Institute for Social Development Studies (ISDS) developed the project Strengthening preparedness and response to COVID-19 at the grassroots level in Vietnam and was approved by the Japan Social Development Fund and the World Bank under the Letter of Agreement dated 23/11/2021. The project was approved by the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) under Decision No. 55/QD-LHHVN dated 19/01/2022. The project will be implemented in 3 years 2021-2024.
The development objective of the project is to strengthening community capacity, including vulnerable groups and frontline forces, in preparing and responding to the COVID-19 as well as other health emergencies in the project provinces of Vinh Phuc, Khanh Hoa, Long An. In each province, the project is implemented in 9 communes of 3 districts. A total of 27 communes in 9 districts participate in the project implementation.
This objective will be achieved through:
- Strengthening the capacity of local authorities and stakeholders in cross-sectoral collaboration to prepare and respond to COVID-19 and/or other health emergencies;
- Strengthening the capacity of commune health stations in infection prevention and control in health facilities, maintaining the provision of basic health services during the pandemic; supporting treatment and referral for infected cases;
- Strengthening risk communication capacity of local leaders, raising awareness and knowledge to change attitudes and practices of people especially vulnerable groups in infection prevention, monitoring and home health care; and
- Reducing the impact of COVID-19 on the most affected individuals from vulnerable population groups.