Vietnam prioritizes prevention of non-communicable diseases
A representative of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) said that in the coming time, the prevention of non-communicable diseases will be a top priority in Vietnam.
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| Caring for patients after heart surgery. Photo: VNA |
The above information was given at a workshop to strengthen communication coordination on preventive medicine work organized by the Ministry of Health on the morning of January 28 in Hanoi.
At the workshop, Master Tran Quoc Bao, General Department of Preventive Medicine emphasized that non-communicable diseases are the main barrier to poverty reduction and sustainable development. In Vietnam, non-communicable diseases create a heavy burden as they are the leading cause of death and disability in Vietnam.
According to the Ministry of Health's assessment, Vietnam is having to deal with a double burden of disease including infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases.
In fact, while infectious diseases, although on the decline, are still complicated with the emergence of dangerous new epidemics and the return of some previously controlled epidemics, Vietnam is facing an increasingly serious increase in non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
According to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), each year about 16 million people under 70 years old die from non-communicable diseases, equivalent to 63% of total deaths worldwide. The report said the main causes of premature death were heart and lung disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. Smoking, drinking alcohol, unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity also pose risks. |
The burden of non-communicable diseases accounts for more than two-thirds of the total burden of disease and death nationwide.
The number of people with non-communicable diseases in the community is currently very large and increasing. It is estimated that Vietnam currently has about 12.5 million people with high blood pressure, 2.5 million people with diabetes, and over 2 million people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
According to the most recent statistics from major hospitals nationwide, it is estimated that in 2012, the country had 520,000 deaths of all kinds, of which more than 379,000 deaths were due to non-communicable diseases; that is, out of 10 deaths, 7 people died from non-communicable diseases (mainly diseases: cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease...).
According to Master Bao, the risk factors for non-communicable diseases at high and increasing levels in Vietnam are due to high rates of smoking, alcohol abuse, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity.
Therefore, in the face of the above situation, the health sector has developed a National Strategy for Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control to guide the enhancement of the effectiveness of non-communicable disease prevention and control activities in a comprehensive, integrated, community-based manner and mobilize the active participation of ministries and branches.
The strategy aims to control the rate of increase and reduce the rate of disease in the community, limit disability and premature death due to non-communicable diseases.
Non-communicable diseases, also known as chronic diseases, are diseases of lifestyle behavior that are not transmitted, develop and progress slowly over many years, usually starting in childhood. These diseases require systematic, long-term, even lifelong treatment. There are many different non-communicable diseases, however, currently in the world and in Vietnam, priority is given to preventing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. These diseases have a high incidence and are the main causes of disability and death in adults. |
According to Vietnam+
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