Under the Community Health Development 2022 project, in June and July 2022, NSRP collaborated with Nghi Son District Health Center (NSDHC) to organize a series of health development activities with the goal of improving the health for local community, particularly those who are living surrounding Nghi Son Refinery including Mai Lam, Tinh Hai wards and Bac Yen village, as well as showcasing NSRP’s effort in managing social risk, complying with IFC’s Performance Standards 4, and enhancing social acceptance.

The health screening activity for local community in Mai Lam ward health clinic

In detail, the health screening activity for local people in Mai Lam ward was conducted from 17 – 19 June 2022 and for local people in Tinh Hai ward and Bac Yen village was conducted from 01 – 03 July 2022. The events attracted the participation of 1,340 local people aged 40 and up. Participants were checked and consulted diseases on hypertension, diabetes, abdominal ultrasound, Ear – Nose – Throat (ENT) endoscopy, chest X-ray. Following the health screening’s results, those who were found having health issues were advised to visit a higher hospital for more thorough examination.

The health screening activity for local community in Tinh Hai ward health clinic

Similarly, from 15 – 17, and 22 – 24 July 2022, the health screening and consultation activities on gynecology diseases for women aged from 18 to 60 were organized in Mai Lam, Tinh Hai wards, and Bac Yen village. 241 participants were checked and advised carefully by experienced doctors from reproductive health department of Thanh Hoa Center for Disease Control.

The health screening activity for women in Tinh Hai health clinic

The project also organized the communication activities through meetings of 12 Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs in Mai Lam, Tinh Hai wards, and Bac Yen village in June and July 2022 to raise awareness of health issues in the community. All club members enthusiastically participated in the discussions on nutrition for the elderly, post-Covid-19 sequelae communication for communities, and the prevention and control of chronic diseases. Along with taking part in the activity, each participant also received the flyers and stickers on these topics to stick at the most visible place at home as a daily practice reminder.

The health screening activity for women in Mai Lam ward health clinic

To promote behavior, change of community on hygiene practices and environmental protection, the project presented in-kind support to targeted community/local organizations. To replace disposable plastic bags when going to the market, 1,500 plastic handbaskets were distributed to every household in four fence-line village/residential groups as part of the in-kind support. 123 trash cans were given to commune/ward people’s committee in Mai Lam, Tinh Hai, Hai Yen and Nguyen Binh, kindergartens, primary, secondary, and high schools, village culture houses in Mai Lam, Tinh Hai wards, and Hai Yen commune, and commune/ward health clinics in 10 NSRP’s monitored commune/wards.​​​​​​​

The happiness of local people in Kim Phu residential group when receiving the plastic handbasket

In addition, 04 water refining systems were installed for 04 local schools including Mai Lam kindergarten, Mai Lam secondary school, Tinh Hai primary school and Tinh Hai secondary school for pupils’ better drinking water condition. On 29 July 2022, ceremonies to handover these water refining systems were held at each school. Speaking at the ceremonies, representative from schools expressed their gratitude for the strong support from NSRP in promoting pupils’ health and committed to effectively use the water refining system.

The ceremony to hand over the water refining system to Mai Lam secondary school

The water refining system was installed in Mai Lam secondary school.

In general, the series of health development activities were successfully organized and received a lot of positive feedback from beneficiaries