Vietnam – Denmark conference discusses primary health care, non-communicable diseases

(VNF) - A workshop spotlighting Vietnam – Denmark cooperation on non-communicable disease prevention took place at the Hanoi Medical University on April 10^th.

Danish Minister of Health Ellen Trane Nørby speaks at the workshop. (Photo: VNA)

Co-organised by the Hanoi Medical University and Denmark Embassy in Vietnam, the workshop focused on the importance of grassroots health care and awareness-raising regarding non-communicable diseases. It was attended by visiting Danish Minister of Health Ellen Trane Nørby.

Denmark holds strengths in cancer prevention, control of diabetes and many other non-communicable diseases, Ellen said, expressing her hope that both sides would deepen cooperation in the fields.

Reports at the discussion showed an upward trend of chronic diseases and related deaths in Vietnam. According to latest data, for every 10 deaths, seven were due to non-communicable diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes, cancer or lung issues.

The country is estimated to have some 12 million people suffering from high blood pressure, nearly 3 million diabetes patients and 2 million with chronic heart and lung diseases, in addition to 120,000 new cancer cases every year. The leading causes were deemed to be smoking, drinking, heavy consumption of fat and little intake of vegetables or fruits and lack of physical exercise.

Dr. Kidong Park, WHO representative in Vietnam. (Photo: World Health Organization Viet Nam)

The Danish health minister said both Vietnam and Denmark are undertaking reform of their medical sector with an aim toward making initial healthcare a major factor in reducing the rate of chronic diseases. The sector is also a direct cooperative area between the two countries, she added.

The official said health care reforms and technology application must be intensified to ensure everyone’s access to care.

The health ministries of Denmark and Vietnam are piloting a new approach to non-communicable diseases in 30 commune-level health stations in four districts of the northern province of Thai Binh, aiming at building primary care capacity at the grassroots level.

Selected health workers in these areas are set to start their training on April 11^th, with learning materials co-developed by both Danish and Vietnamese experts.

Earlier, Danish Minister of Health Ellen Trane Nørby had a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, at which he said he hoped to receive further support from Denmark in the prevention of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular illness and high blood pressure as well as in medical personnel training./.

VNF