Circular No. 02/2021/TT-BYT stipulates the standards and tasks of population volunteers at village level.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the standards and tasks of population cooperation volunteers

Pursuant to the Law on Legislative Documents dated June 22, 2015;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 75/2017/NĐ-CP dated June 20, 2017 stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

The Minister of Health issues this Circular on initial recording and reporting system for population statistics.

The Minister of Health issues this Circular to regulate the standards and tasks of population cooperation volunteers.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the standards and tasks of population cooperation volunteers at village levels (hereinafter referred to as villages).

1. Having a minimum educational level of completion of junior secondary school. In difficult villages or those with ethnic minorities where individuals meeting the above educational requirements cannot be selected, individuals completing primary education may be chosen; they must be trained and instructed on population matters according to the specialized content issued by the Ministry of Health.

2. Living and working stably in the village where the population cooperation volunteer is assigned; voluntarily participating in population cooperation volunteer work; having a sense of responsibility, enthusiasm for social activities, the ability to mobilize the masses, and being trusted by the community.

3. Prioritizing individuals currently engaged in village health work to concurrently serve as population cooperation volunteers.

4. Being in good health to perform the tasks as prescribed.

1. Population cooperation volunteers are responsible for collaborating with village health workers and other program volunteers in the area to promote and mobilize regarding population work, disease prevention, and initial healthcare services for residents within their jurisdiction.

3. Directly promoting, mobilizing, and advising villagers within their assigned area on population matters.

4. Providing condoms and oral contraceptives to households according to regulations; implementing marketing and social marketing of reproductive health care products, family planning services, and population-related services as prescribed.

5. Monitoring and supervising the maintenance of population-related content in households within their jurisdiction.

6. Implementing initial record-keeping, data collection, periodic and ad hoc reporting on population matters according to current regulations; providing data to the Commune Health Station, creating diagrams and charts, and managing household population data within their jurisdiction.

7. Storing and using materials (notebooks, report forms...) related to their assigned tasks.

8. Participating in monthly population cooperation volunteer meetings organized by the Commune Health Station to reflect the situation and report on population activity results in the assigned jurisdiction.

9. Attending training sessions organized by authorized agencies.

10. Identifying and proposing to village-level population work supervisors and staff from the Commune Health Station issues that need to be addressed regarding population matters within their jurisdiction.

11. Performing other population tasks assigned by the Commune Health Station Director or the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee.

Article 4. Benefits of Population Cooperation Volunteers

1. Population cooperation volunteers are assigned responsibilities based on the village's characteristics and actual conditions, ensuring that each village has at least one population cooperation volunteer.

2. The monthly allowance for population cooperation volunteers is determined by the Provincial People's Council and guaranteed by local budgets according to regulations.

3. Each population cooperation volunteer is provided with necessary equipment for work, including: Communication bags, portable speakers, flashlights, raincoats, and other appropriate equipment based on local financial capabilities.

4. Outstanding population cooperation volunteers who actively and enthusiastically contribute to population work are encouraged, rewarded, and honored; they are allowed to participate in regional and inter-regional competitions, conferences, and seminars to exchange work experiences.

Article 5. Regarding training and capacity building

The Provincial Population and Family Planning Agency, the District Health Centers, and the Commune Health Stations shall annually organize capacity-building sessions for population volunteers; integrate professional guidance and business procedures into regular meetings, conferences, and seminars.

Article 6. Work Relationships

1. Population volunteers are subject to direct management, supervision, and professional guidance from the Commune Health Station.

2. Population volunteers are subject to oversight regarding their activities by the village-level population work responsible officials and the Village Chiefs within their jurisdiction.

3. Population volunteers shall coordinate with organizations and mass organizations at the village level to fulfill assigned tasks.

4. Population volunteers shall cooperate with village health workers and other program volunteers within the village to carry out assigned tasks.

5. Agencies, organizations, village health workers, and other program volunteers have the responsibility to create conditions, coordinate, and support population volunteers so that they can complete their tasks.

Article 7. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from March 10, 2021.

2. Section II, Part III of Circular No. 05/2008/TT-BYT dated May 14, 2008, issued by the Minister of Health guiding the functions, responsibilities, and organizational structure of Population and Family Planning at the local level, shall be abolished from the date this Circular takes effect.

Article 8. Implementation organization

1. The General Department of Population and Family Planning shall guide, monitor, inspect, and evaluate the implementation of this Circular.

2. Based on the characteristics and actual situation of the locality, the Provincial Health Departments shall be responsible for:

b) Directing the Provincial Population and Family Planning Agency to develop and implement plans for capacity building and training for population volunteers as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 2 of this Circular;

c) Directing and guiding the integration of population volunteer activities with those of health workers and other program volunteers to enhance the effectiveness of population volunteer activities;

d) Continuing to employ individuals currently serving as population volunteers who do not meet the specified professional qualifications as set forth in Clause 1, Article 2 of this Circular (if any), to ensure the stability of the population volunteer network and plan specialized training for these individuals within a period of 24 months from the date this Circular takes effect. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties or obstacles, agencies, organizations, and individuals are requested to promptly report them to the Ministry of Health (General Department of Population and Family Planning) for consideration and resolution.