Efforts joined to tackle gestational diabetes in VN

March 16, 2018 - 18:00

The Ministry of Health and Abbott signed a project on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) prevention and management to contribute to the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in Việt Nam.

A doctor provides consultation on gestational diabetes mellitus prevention for pregnant women in Hà Nội. — Photo hanoimoi.vn
Viet Nam News

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Health and Abbott signed a project on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) prevention and management to contribute to the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in Việt Nam.

The project aims to tackle specifically the increasing prevalence of GDM among pregnant Vietnamese women and help prevent its potential consequences.

“The project will contribute to overall improvement of the healthcare system, improve the quality of maternal and child healthcare in Việt Nam and accelerate the national strategy to prevent and control non-communicable diseases,” said Nguyễn Đức Vinh, director of Maternal and Child Health Department.  

“Abbott is proud to support the efforts of the Ministry of Health in the prevention and management of gestational diabetes mellitus initiative as well as the national goal of enhancing the health and well-being of mothers and babies in Việt Nam,” Douglas Kuo, general manager of Abbott Vietnam, said.

GDM affects up to 20 per cent of pregnant women in the country and is on the rise globally. Given the link between GDM during pregnancy, poor pregnancy outcome and future risk of diabetes in both mother and child, a focus on prevention, screening, early diagnosis and managing GDM in pregnancy is needed globally, especially in Việt Nam.

The project will focus on educating the community and patients on lifestyle modification and diet for people with GDM as well as developing national guidelines on prevention and control of GDM. It will also help in enhancing the knowledge and efficiency of healthcare professionals through training and developing a standardised screening and diagnostic programme.

In the first year, there will be pilot screening and diagnostics implemented at six key hospitals, which is expected to bring benefits to 75,000 people and reduce the incidence of GDM in Việt Nam. — VNS

E-paper