SCDI presents to reader the outstanding news of February 2025. 

SCDI celebrates the 2025 Lunar New Year 

February 5th marked SCDI’s first day back in office after the 2025 Tet holiday. SCDI staff from offices all across the country gathered, both in-person and through virtual setting, to celebrate the new year and receive their red envelopes.

Photo: SCDI staff at the Hanoi office on the first working day after Tet

In the joyous atmosphere, everyone gave each other the best wishes and encouragement for a new year of persistence, resilience, and strength to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. 

CSET members visit TB patients undergoing treatment after Tet holiday 

After the Tet holiday, members of the Community System to End TB (CSET) visited patients who are undergoing TB treatment in Ho Chi Minh City. These visits not only aim to encourage patients and their families to persevere through this difficult times, but also to address any concerns they might have, making sure that they don’t feel lonely in their fight against TB. 

Vy, a dedicated CSET member in Ho Chi Minh City, shared after the visit that all patients were adhering to their treatment plan consistently and that they’d been feeling healthier each day. 

Photo: Vy, CSET member in Ho Chi Minh City, giving nutritional support to a TB patient

Every patient who agrees to get TB screenting, follows the treatment plan and commits to it, is a proud achievement for the CSET community. The inspiring stories from patients and their families are what motivates CSET on the journey to support TB patients, especially those who have disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Ending TB requires a collective effort from society, beyond just the healthcare sector. Thanks to the dedication of CSET members, we are steadily moving toward a TB-free future and the goal of ending TB by 2035. 

Engaging communities to effectively raise awareness about tuberculosis 

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Community System to End TB (CSET) plays a vital role in empowering communities to fight this disease. A key component of CSET’s outreach is hosting intimate communication sessions in local neighborhoods, often in people’s homes.  

With minimal resources, such as a few sheets of paper and a folding table, CSET members provide vital information on TB transmission, symptoms, classification, and prevention. 

Photo: A communication session organized with minimal resources

These sessions not only deliver crucial information but also foster open dialogue, reduce stigma, and encourage individuals to seek timely medical attention. By addressing myths and creating a safe environment for discussion, CSET empowers individuals with the knowledge to protect themselves and their loved ones. 

These community-based efforts are essential in improving TB prevention and control outcomes, demonstrating the commitment and effectiveness of CSET’s approach.

Breaking the Cycle Project’s first gathering after Tet holiday for children and parents 

30 children in the "Breaking the Cycle" project in Ho Chi Minh City had their first gathering after the Tet holiday, filled with joy and meaning. The session featured light, familiar activities that helped the children reconnect with each other, such as learning to say thank you and sorry, and sharing warm stories about Tet with their families.

The event was made even more special with the participation of 129 parents, who reflected on their children’s progress over the past semester with the project. Parents shared how their children had become more confident, happy, helpful at home, and open with their parents, which deeply moved the SCDI team.

Photo: A snapshot of the parents' "meeting"

SeABank also played a part in the gathering session, providing 50 meaningful gift packages for the children, including lucky money, books, stationery, and candy, which brought joy to the children at the start of the new year. 

Photo: The children with gift bags from SeABank

The collaboration with SeABank and the trust from parents, along with the children’s smiles, are powerful sources of motivation for the “Breaking the Cycle" project to continue its meaningful work in supporting underprivileged children to access and stay in school.