The commemoration of World Population Day on July 11 serves as a moment for critical reflection on the welfare of the workforce in the manufacturing sector. In Bac Ninh province, which currently hosts around 570,000 workers, the issue of reproductive health for laborers—especially women under the age of 35—still faces complex systemic challenges.
Many workers, such as Hoang Van Tin and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Van, expressed that routine health checks at companies tend to ignore reproductive aspects. Time constraints due to long working hours, economic pressure, and the perception that this issue is 'sensitive' make workers reluctant to seek healthcare services unless actual disease symptoms appear.
Dr. Nguyen Van Thanh from the Bac Ninh Center for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged the gap in access. Although government programs such as pregnancy management and family planning counseling have shown positive achievements, their effectiveness among industrial workers is still hindered by the mobility of migrant workers and the lack of service integration in the workplace.
To address this issue, comprehensive strategic measures are required. Increasing the capacity of grassroots medical personnel, providing direct examination facilities within factory premises, and conducting inclusive digital communication campaigns are key. This approach is expected to eliminate stigma while ensuring that the right to reproductive health is not neglected for the sake of productivity.
Empowering workers' health is not just about fulfilling social security rights, but is a vital investment in the quality of human resources. By bringing services closer and enhancing education, workers are expected to be more proactive in maintaining their health, which will ultimately strengthen the foundation for long-term economic development in the region.
