Vietnam's Ministries of Health and Education and Training today completed a large-scale, U.S.-supported distribution of medicine to help over 918,000 children in disadvantaged provinces fend off intestinal worms.

From May 5 to June 4, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) joined Vietnam's National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE) of the Ministry of Health to distribute medicine to children living in 10 northern provinces:  Bac Giang, Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Nam Dinh, Son La and Thanh Hoa.

“The deworming program supported by USAID has been very successful,” said Dr. Tran Thanh Duong, Director of the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology. “More than half of the children have shown no signs of worms over the time and we are reporting a significant reduction in malnutrition in these provinces.”

During the period from November 2011 to September 2013, USAID is funding mass drug administration campaigns for children and women of reproductive age in 17 provinces where the Ministry of Health has identified gaps in deworming drug coverage. Mass drug administration campaigns are being conducted in partnership with World Vision Australia, which is donating the drugs. USAID covers all transport and other logistical costs.

"This is a very effective way to work in partnership with local officials and schools to deliver assistance and address a crucial health concern facing disadvantaged children and women," said USAID Mission Director Joakim Parker after taking part in a distribution campaign Saturday in Nam Dinh to mark International Children’s Day.

In 2012, over 882,000 school-aged children in 12 provinces received the drugs.

Since 2000, USAID has provided $595 million for development and relief efforts in Vietnam.