Nearly 57 per cent of people suffering from high blood pressure in Việt Nam are not diagnosed, while approximately 69 per cent with diabetes go untreated.— Photo suckhoedoisong.vn

HÀ NỘI — Nearly 57 per cent of people suffering from high blood pressure in Việt Nam are not diagnosed, while approximately 69 per cent with diabetes go untreated.

The figures were announced by Minister of Health Phạm Lê Tuấn at an event held on Monday in Hà Nội, Sức khoẻ đời sống (Health and Life) newspaper reported.

Only 13.6 per cent of people with high blood pressure were receiving treatment at local health clinics, while the figure was 29 per cent for those with diabetes, Tuấn said.

There are 12 million people who suffer from high blood pressure in Việt Nam, accounting for 13 per cent of the total population; while 3.5 million people have diabetes, accounting for 6 per cent.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, puts extra strain on the blood vessels and major organs such as the heart, brain and kidneys.

Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.

Causes and solutions

According to medical experts, a lack of regular check-ups was to blame for the number of people with hypertension or diabetes who have not been diagnosed.

Tuấn also said that local-level health clinics had failed to provide regular screenings for the illnesses.

In response to the situation, the ministry issued Decision No 2559/QĐ-BYT in late April to improve treatment for people with hypertension and diabetes by organising training courses for doctors and medical staff at central-level hospitals.

After finishing the training courses, doctors and medical staff would be dispatched to over 11,000 health clinics at commune and ward levels throughout the country to instruct local staff how to diagnose the problems, the ministry said.

Lương Ngọc Khuê, head of the ministry’s Medical Examination and Treatment Department, said the training would focus on early detection and treatment, as well as how to encourage people to follow a strict health regime.

According to doctors, high blood pressure could be avoided through a healthy lifestyle. This means a healthy diet, regular exercise, limiting alcohol, not smoking and managing stress.

People with existing high blood pressure should follow their treatment plans carefully. —VNS