A doctor provides a check-up for an older patient at a health clinic. NCDs are the leading causes of deaths globally and locally, putting pressure on public healthcare. — Photo baocongthuong.vn

HÀ NỘI — More than 600 doctors and pharmacists specialising in cardiovascular treatment, pain relief and mental health across the country discussed integrated measures for effective management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at a symposium last week. 

The event, titled Non-Communicable Diseases Summit (NCDs Summit), was jointly organised by the Vietnam National Heart Association (VNHA) in collaboration with Pfizer Upjohn Vietnam. The nationwide summit was conducted in Hà Nội and HCM City as the two main venues and online with three satellite conferences in Hải Phòng, Huế and Cần Thơ cities.

The summit focused discussions on non-communicable diseases and comprehensive solutions, helping to advance the professional knowledge of medical teams and improve patients’ health in Việt Nam.

Participants heard that NCDs were the leading causes of deaths globally and locally, putting pressure on public healthcare.

“By 2020, NCDs will account for 73 per cent of all deaths and 60 per cent of the disease burden. We aim to reduce the number of undiagnosed, untreated and uncontrolled cases among the public and standardise healthcare for NCDs,” said Dr Nguyễn Quốc Thái from the Vietnam National Heart Association.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, there were 56.9 million deaths recorded globally in 2016, of which 71 per cent were caused by NCDs. The leading causes of NCD deaths in 2016 were cardiovascular diseases (17.9 million deaths, or 44 per cent), added Thái.

Dr Văn Đức Hạnh from the VNHA said that the number of undiagnosed, untreated and uncontrolled cardiovascular cases was still very high in the community. Through the summit’s training programme, he said they hoped to be able to help doctors optimise treatment, including the use of high-intensity statins properly to minimize cardiovascular events.

In addition to cardiovascular problems, mental health disorders remain a considerable health challenge.

Dr Nguyễn Doãn Phương, director of Vietnam’s National Institute of Mental Health, said that stigma and discrimination against patients and their families prevented people from seeking mental healthcare.

“Given the serious disease burden caused by NCDs, it is widely accepted that depression will become another important health problem to address. Through education programmes, we hope to bring value to and increase support and education for patients to improve the management of NCDs,” said Phương.

“NCDs are expected to cause three-quarters of the disease burden in low- and middle-income countries by 2030. We seek to leverage our portfolio, global experience and expertise to become the trusted partner of choice for all stakeholders committed to improving Việt Nam’s patient health,” said Ms Cho Yun-Ju, Market Lead Upjohn - Pfizer (Thailand) Limited in HCM City.

Upjohn, a Pfizer division, is primarily focused on relieving the burden of NCDs such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, pain and depression, and delivers health solutions that extend beyond medicines such as high-quality educational resources that help to support health promotion, disease prevention and healthy ageing. — VNS