Health

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong said NCDs pose a growing global challenge, accounting for over 70% of deaths worldwide, mainly from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. In Vietnam, the burden is rising rapidly, requiring urgent and sustained preventive strategies.

The Ministry of Health stressed that prioritising prevention over treatment is an urgent requirement, as the cost of treating NCDs, especially cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, is several times higher than the cost of prevention.

Most infections were reported among children under 10 years old, making up 99.3%, with those aged 1–5 accounting for the highest proportion (92.7%) due to close contact in kindergartens and limited hygiene practices.

In the initial phase in 2026, priority will be given to children under 24 months old, students, out-of-school minors, contracted employees, probationary workers, apprentices, public officials, members of the armed forces, social protection beneficiaries and people aged 60 and above.

The TB burden in Vietnam remains high. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that in 2025, the country recorded around 184,000 new TB cases, including 9,400 drug-resistant cases, with approximately 12,000 deaths annually.

According to information recorded at the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, the medical team successfully performed a cesarean section on a 60-year-old pregnant woman, safely delivering a baby boy. This is considered one of the rare pregnancies with high medical risks in Vietnam due to the mother's age. Thanks to close monitoring and thorough preparation before delivery, the surgery went smoothly, and the baby boy was born with good vital signs.

The cases highlight the effectiveness of rapid coordination between frontline healthcare facilities and specialised hospitals in optimising the “golden time” for emergency treatment.

Vietnam has successfully carried out its first domino multi-organ transplant, a landmark medical achievement that underscores the country’s rapidly advancing organ transplantation expertise.

Under a plan issued on March 17, the programme encompasses 20 groups of essential drugs commonly used in treating prevalent and chronic conditions.

Medical specialists and professors from Germany, Italy, Austria, and Spain conducted screenings for 80 children with cleft lips and palates and other congenital deformities. Following medical assessments, nearly 40 cases were selected for reconstructive surgery.

FV Hospital aims to develop into a leading robotic surgery hub in Southeast Asia, with the long-term goal of making the world’s most advanced treatment technologies more accessible to patients across Vietnam.

Under the programme, the southern largest economic hub has set several key health targets to be achieved by 2030. The average height of children and adolescents under 18 is expected to increase by at least 1.5cm, while the average life expectancy of residents is projected to reach around 77 years, including at least 68 years of healthy living.

In Vietnam, an estimated 6 million people live with rare diseases, about 58% of whom are children, while nearly 30% of affected children die before the age of five due to delayed diagnosis or limited access to appropriate treatment.

Commending the Hanoi – Vientiane General Hospital’s 13-year development, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam noted that prioritising conscience and virtue has helped it build a strong reputation among Lao citizens, the Vietnamese community and international friends in Laos.

Human resources remain decisive, as no matter how advanced equipment becomes, it is doctors who directly deliver care and sustain patients’ confidence, said Party General Secretary To Lam.