A 2-year-old child, a victim of severe abuse currently undergoing treatment at Nhi Dong 1 Hospital, received a birth certificate directly at the hospital on 11/5. This crucial step, facilitated by a multi-agency effort, ensures the child's legal rights and access to essential services.
The inter-agency delegation that visited and presented the birth certificate included representatives from: the People's Procuracy Region 14 TP HCM, Hoa Hiep Communal People's Committee, Trung My Tay Ward People's Committee, the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children's Rights in TP HCM, and the Ho Chi Minh City Social Work and Vocational Education Center for Youth. The child is a victim of abuse perpetrated by her biological mother and her partner.
Previously, upon hospital admission in critical condition, the child lacked any identification documents. Although named by her mother, the child had never been officially registered for a birth certificate. The only document available was a birth certification document issued by Gia Dinh People's Hospital in 3/2024.
Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the "One-stop shop" model at Nhi Dong 1 Hospital and related agencies, legal procedures were quickly completed. A representative from Trung My Tay Ward People's Committee directly presented the birth certificate to the child in her hospital room. This document provides the basis for the child to be guaranteed rights to healthcare, education, social welfare, and legal protection.
The child was transferred to Nhi Dong 1 Hospital on 3/5 with multiple organ injuries, including the liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. She also suffered ruptured lungs, an old fracture in her arm bone, and numerous abrasions consistent with beatings. After over a week of treatment, the child's blood loss is controlled, vital signs are stable, and organ function is gradually recovering. She is now alert, claps her hands, and plays with medical staff. According to doctors, if her condition continues to improve, discharge could occur in about 10 days.
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Nguyen Manh Cuong, vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee (second from right), visited the child on the morning of 11/5. *Photo: Hospital provided.* |
The child's biological mother is unmarried and pregnant. The child has three older brothers; one has been adopted, and the other two live with their grandmother and aunt. When authorities contacted them to request guardianship, both the maternal grandmother and aunt refused to provide care.
Given these challenging circumstances, Nhi Dong 1 Hospital has covered all hospital fees, while doctors and nurses have taken turns caring for and encouraging the child throughout her treatment process.
The child is expected to be discharged in about 10 days. Procedures are being finalized for the Ho Chi Minh City Social Work Center to take custody of her after discharge. She will receive care in TP HCM for a maximum of three months for convenient follow-up examinations and monitoring for risks of late complications, before being transferred to the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Regional Social Protection and Care Center for long-term care.
Le Phuong
