Thirty four per cent of diabetes complications in Việt Nam are cardiovascular in nature. VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuấn

HÀ NỘI - Việt Nam currently has approximately seven million individuals diagnosed with diabetes, with more than 55 per cent of patients already experiencing complications. Notably, 34 per cent of these complications are cardiovascular in nature.

According to Trần Hữu Dàng, President of the Việt Nam Association of Endocrinology and Diabetes, the number of people with diabetes in Việt Nam has been steadily increasing, with the rate doubling compared to a decade ago.

Among diabetes patients, more than half remain undiagnosed and thus untreated. Even among those who have been diagnosed and are receiving treatment, only about one-third achieve their treatment goals.

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases globally, rapidly increasing and becoming a significant public health concern. It is a leading cause of death today, escalating healthcare burdens and severely impacting public health. Despite this, public awareness of this 'silent killer' remains limited.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2021, more than one in ten adults worldwide had diabetes. The number of countries with over 20 per cent of the adult population suffering from diabetes is also growing. Statistics since 2000 show that the prevalence of diabetes in individuals aged 20 to 79 has more than tripled and healthcare costs for diabetes have similarly tripled over the past 15 years.

In Việt Nam, the prevalence of diabetes is rapidly increasing. The disease is not only found in urban areas but is also prevalent in mountainous, midland and lowland regions. Diabetes causes severe health issues, disabilities and even death due to late diagnosis and treatment.

Currently, Việt Nam has about 7 million people with diabetes, with over 55 per cent experiencing complications, including 34 per cent with cardiovascular complications, 39.5 per cent with eye and nerve complications and 24 per cent with kidney complications. These complications not only increase healthcare costs but also significantly reduce the quality of life.

Diabetes is a growing concern in Việt Nam, not only among adults but also children. The incidence of diabetes in children is increasing, with type 1 diabetes accounting for 90 per cent of cases. Data from paediatric hospitals indicate that nearly 2,000 children nationwide have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

At the National Children's Hospital, 943 children were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over the past 33 years. Currently, 586 children under 18 years old are being treated and managed. The incidence of type 1 diabetes in children has been increasing nationwide over the past seven years.

Patients with type 1 diabetes require initial treatment with insulin at the hospital, followed by stable doses administered at home. The main focus is on monitoring the patient and providing appropriate treatment to minimise complications.

To enhance the standardisation and quality of diabetes care, the Ministry of Health has developed guidelines for diagnosing and treating type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents based on scientific advancements and international recommendations. These guidelines focus primarily on clinical practice in diagnosing and treating type 1 diabetes.

According to the Ministry of Health, over 77 per cent of deaths in Việt Nam are related to non-communicable diseases, a rate that is increasing. Diabetes, along with cardiovascular diseases, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), belongs to this group of diseases.

The Ministry of Health, along with professional associations, public-private partners and international health organisations, has been actively communicating and implementing various measures to prevent and control diabetes, aiming to bring about positive and meaningful changes for the lives of millions of diabetes patients in Việt Nam. VNS