HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam was focusing on preventive measures for the early detection and treatment of diseases, said Nguyễn Viết Tiến, deputy minister of health.

To realise this, Việt Nam needed to come up with strategies which highlighted the role of the health sector with support from policymakers, experts and international organisations, Tiến said on Monday at the Future Trends Forum on Healthcare.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyễn Thị Xuyên, president of the Việt Nam Medical Association, said the healthcare sector had improved, particularly at grassroots levels where a number of dangerous diseases had been controlled. At present 86.4 per cent of the population held health insurance cards, 4.2 per cent more than the target.

However, the health sector still faced challenges including a shortage of human resources and a lack of financial mechanisms to encourage healthcare development at grassroots levels.

“Aging populations have become common not only in Việt Nam but also in most Asian countries, which poses a threat and has long-term effects on the healthcare system in each country. Smart health systems and effective use of all resources are needed to ensure sustainable development,” Xuyên said.

Việt Nam is one of the countries having fastest growing aging populations in Asia, with an average life expectancy of 73.6. This heightens the risk of non-communicable diseases.  

The country has taken measures to cope with the issue, with non-communicable diseases included in a national target programme. Most hospitals have geriatric faculties and care centres for seniors have been set up in many localities.

The forum, which ends today, was a chance for healthcare stakeholders in the region to share ideas and best practices and discuss global trends in health policies, she added.

The forum, organised by the Việt Nam Medical Association and Novartis, has drawn the participants of dozens of healthcare policymakers and academic leaders in the healthcare sector from across Asia. — VNS