On Thursday, the Da Nang Association for Supporting Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children held its 4^th Congress in the 2021-2026 tenure.

Da Nang Party Committee Deputy Secretary Luong Nguyen Minh Triet (ninth left) presenting flowers to congratulate the new Executive Board of the Association. Photo: LE VAN THOM

Da Nang Party Committee Deputy Secretary cum municipal People's Council Chairman Luong Nguyen Minh Triet made his attendance at the event.

In his speech delivered at the congress, Deputy Secretary Triet highly praised the Association for its outstanding achievements during the 2016-2021 period.

Specifically, the Association overcame many difficulties to fulfill its assigned tasks well, as well as gave active support to thousands of women and children in very difficult circumstances and underprivileged people citywide.

Over the past 5 years, the Association raised a total of nearly VND 66.5 billion from generous domestic and foreign donors to help the needy, representing more than 166% of its target.

During that period, the Association provided 267,157 poor children with free screening tests for the early detection of congenital heart complaints. As a result, VND 16.2 billion was spent on giving free surgery to 318 heart-problem children.

Also, the allowances for medical treatment were raised to VND5 million VND/case for women and children living below the city’s poverty thresholds, and to VND 3million/ case for women and children living near the city’s poverty thresholds.

A total of VND 2.3 billion was used to help 7 poor single women to build charity houses, and support 590 needy women and children in the community.

The Association's aforementioned activities significantly contributed to ensuring the efficient implementation of the city’s social welfare and poverty reduction programmes.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Ngo Thi Kim Yen (centre) presenting Certificates of Merit from the municipal People's Committee to collectives. Photo: LE VAN THOM

Mr Triet took the opportunity to call for the Association and its chapters to make more efforts to overcome difficulties, actively expand relations, increase resources to mobilize, strive to effectively implement more humanitarian programmes in the coming time.

The focus will be on cooperating with the municipal Department of Health and the district-level authorities to improve the effectiveness of congenital heart disease treatment for children with difficult circumstances, as well as provide active support for vulnerable subjects.

Over the next 5 years, the Association will make every effort to raise VND43 billion or more to carry out its humanitarian programmes across the city.

It is expected to provide 150,000 poor children aged 1-18 poor children with free screening tests for the early detection of congenital heart complaints, and cover all surgical costs for 300 children with congenital heart disease. Also, heed will be paid to giving free screening tests for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer to 5,000 poor women.

Importance will be attached to giving free medical treatment for 1,500 disadvantaged women and children, presenting 3,000 gifts to poor single women, and supporting Hoa Vang District to implement a programme to upgrade rural areas.

Also at the event, 25 members of the Association’s Executive Board were elected, with Mr Huynh Van Hoa re-elected Chairman of the Association for the 2021 - 2026 tenure and Mrs. Do Thi Kim Linh re-elected Vice Chairwoman. Deptuy Secretary Luong Nguyen Minh Triet was honoured as the Association’s Honorary Chairman.

On this occasion, 17 groups and individuals were presented Certificates of Merit from the municipal People's Committee in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the Association’s activities.

In addition, 14 children with congenital heart disease who overcome difficulties to gain best academic results received gifts.

Reporting by LE VAN THOM - Translating by M.DUNG