The Vietnam National Heart Association and Pfizer Vietnam signed a MoU on the project “Population Cardiovascular Health” in Hà Nội on April 26. — Photo courtesy of Pfizer Vietnam

HCM CITY — Around 10,000 healthcare professionals nationwide are expected to enhance their capability in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases of the elderly through a project called “Population Cardiovascular Health”. 

The Vietnam National Heart Association (VNHA) on Wednesday in Hà Nội signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US drug firm Pfizer Vietnam to partner on the project “Population Cardiovascular Health” by 2025.

The three-year project aims to improve the healthcare professionals' qualification in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in elderly patients through interdisciplinary coordination and the effective use of anticoagulants.

It marks a critical milestone for a long-term collaboration between the two parties in the advanced management of cardiovascular patients and making a positive impact on community healthcare.

Under the MoU, the two parties will support funding to provide updated scientific evidence and training for healthcare professionals nationwide through activities such as online training, monthly medical newsletters, and intensive hands-on training.

Each activity has elaborately designed content with the participation of many leading domestic and foreign experts.

Phạm Mạnh Hùng, vice president of the Vietnam National Heart Association (VNHA), said the current demographic shift towards an older population will be accompanied by a significant increase in the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Việt Nam.

Cardiovascular disease is currently the most frequently diagnosed disease, remaining the leading cause of death in the elderly.

“Therefore, it is essential for healthcare professionals to update their knowledge and treatment methods to optimize patient outcomes,” Hùng said.

He expects the two parties to create more effective, practical, and sustainable activities, contributing to improving the quality of care and serving patients.

Darrell Oh, general director of Pfizer Vietnam, said the company has always supported Việt Nam in addressing the burden of cardiovascular disease for many years.

Capacity-building programmes on cardiovascular disease management as well as the appropriate use of anticoagulants in disease treatment not only help improve the quality of health for the elderly, but also contribute to strengthening the healthcare system in Việt Nam, he said.

“This cooperation will help accelerate the ability of the country’s healthcare system to cope with the challenges of an aging population,” he said.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Việt Nam is one of the most rapidly ageing countries in the world.

The share of the elderly population increased significantly from 8.68 per cent in 2009 to 11.86 per cent 2019, and is expected to reach 16.5 per cent in 2029.

One of the major medical challenges is cardiovascular disease in the elderly, which has already become quite common.

Cardiovascular disease in the elderly heavily affects a patient's quality of life, carries a high risk of mortality, and is a significant economic burden for both individuals and society.

This disease often has comorbidities such as atrial fibrillation with heart failure, atrial fibrillation with kidney failure, and especially stroke. — VNS