Enhancement of the provision of preventive, detection, and management services for non-communicable diseases in Vietnam

Enhancement of the provision of preventive, detection, and management services for non-communicable diseases in Vietnam (Internet image)

On June 13, 2024, the Minister of Health of Vietnam issued Decision 1651/QD-BYT approving the Plan for prevention, detection, and management of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, and mental health disorders during the period 2024–2025.

Enhancement of the provision of preventive, detection, and management services for non-communicable diseases in Vietnam

In order to strengthen preventive measures, early detection, and management of non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders to limit the increase in the proportion of pre-diseased individuals, disease prevalence, disability, and premature death caused by cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma (hereinafter referred to as non-communicable diseases), and mental health disorders, contribute to the protection, care, and improvement of the health of the people and the socio-economic development of the country.

The Ministry of Health of Vietnam requests the enhancement of the provision of preventive, detection, and management services for non-communicable diseases. To be specific:

(1) Providing early detection screening services

* Content:

Organizing the provision of screening examinations, health checks, measurement of indicators, and implementing appropriate practices to detect non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders, including:

- Early detection of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

- Early detection of diabetes.

- Early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma.

- Early detection of cancer, with a focus on screening for early detection of cervical cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and other common types of cancer.

- Early detection of schizophrenia, epilepsy, depression, dementia, and other common mental health disorders.

* Implementation methods:

- Regular screening when individuals utilize healthcare services, especially at the commune-level medical stations.

- Screening through regular health check-ups for the population; encouraging individuals, especially those at high risk, to proactively go to healthcare facilities for regular health check-ups, tests, and disease screenings.

- Integrating screening into the care and management of children's health, students, university students in educational institutions, occupational health examinations at agencies and organizations, health management examinations for the elderly, home visit activities, or screening for pregnant women integrated with prenatal care.

- Organizing programs and campaigns for appropriate screenings on World Health Day and in Vietnam.

- Organizing programs and activities for disease screening in the community according to the requirements and conditions of each locality.

* Target population: people of all ages, prioritizing individuals aged 40 and above and those at high risk of disease (determined based on each specific disease).

(2) Monitoring, counseling, and preventive measures for high-risk and pre-disease individuals

* Content:

- Organizing regular monitoring, check-ups, counseling, and preventive measures for pre-disease individuals and those at high risk of developing non-communicable diseases and some mental health disorders.

- Monitoring, counseling, and preventive measures for overweight and obese individuals.

- Preventive management for individuals at risk of cardiovascular diseases.

- Counseling and intervention for smoking cessation.

- Screening and intervention to reduce harm for individuals at risk of health issues due to alcohol consumption.

- Establishing monitoring records and providing psychological counseling for individuals at high risk of developing mental health disorders.

* Methods: integrated activities within the management and care of children's health, students in educational institutions; health management of workers in agencies and organizations; health management and monitoring of the population in the community, at commune-level medical stations, and related healthcare facilities.

* Target population: individuals identified as at high risk or pre-disease.

(3) Management and treatment for individuals with diseases

* Content: Healthcare and treatment facilities shall provide diagnostic, treatment, and care services in accordance with regulations and technical specialization levels for non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders.

* Target population: individuals with non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders.

More details can be found in Decision 1651/QD-BYT, issued on June 13, 2024.

Nguyen Ngoc Que Anh

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