Health depends on the environment, socio-economic circumstance and health services. Health status indicates habits, customs and intellectual standards. According to the National Hospital of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital No.1 in Hochiminh City, childhood disease pattern is characterized by infections of which respiratory infection and diarrhea rank first.

In order to have an overview of community child health status, the NHP held a conference on community child health with seminars of bronchial asthma, acute diarrhea, nutrition and growth in children. Lasting two days ( May 22nd -25th, 2008) the conference was attended by 150 participants who are medical doctors of provincial general hospitals.

Reports on management of children’s bronchial asthma, updated knowledge about diarrhea in children, nutrition for children with obesity and children’s growth and development indicators were presented by Professor Tran Quy, Professor Nguyen Gia Khanh, Professor Le Thi Hop and Professor Le Nam Tra respectively.

Advanced knowledge participants acquired is useful and bound to contribute to the promotion of community child health.

Dang Tu, M.D, PhD
Translated by Dang Cao Kham