Non-communicable diseases are increasing rapidly, requiring focus on prevention and treatment.

In 2023, the Ministry of Health established inspection and supervision teams in a number of provinces and cities on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders. The results of the inspection and supervision showed that localities have actively implemented activities to prevent and control non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders. However, the screening and early detection rates are still low; the management and treatment of non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders at the grassroots health level face many difficulties. Some commune health stations have not ensured the list and quantity of essential drugs for the management and treatment of non-communicable diseases and have not performed capillary blood sugar tests for the management and treatment of diabetic patients. In addition, the management of information on non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders in the area is not complete...

To overcome the above situation, to strengthen the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders, the Ministry of Health has sent a document to the People's Committees of provinces and cities on strengthening the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders.

The Ministry of Health requests the People's Committees of provinces and cities to pay attention to directing the Department of Health and relevant units to effectively implement the National Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health Disorders approved in Decision No. 155/QD-TTg dated January 22, 2022 of the Prime Minister and to fully allocate funds for local activities to prevent and control non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders.

Localities direct and guide district-level health centers and commune-level health stations to proactively develop annual plans for non-communicable disease prevention and control in their localities to report to the People's Committee and competent authorities to allocate funds from the local budget, prioritizing funding for activities to prevent and control risk factors, early detection screening and other related activities.

At the same time, promote communication, provide information, and guide people to proactively implement preventive measures, early detection, management, and treatment of non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders.

Localities should strengthen the organization and implementation of programs and activities to prevent and combat risk factors of non-communicable diseases, especially programs to prevent and combat the harmful effects of alcohol and beer; ensure proper nutrition and increase physical activity to improve people's health.

The Ministry of Health also requested the People's Committees of provinces and cities to assign focal units to plan, coordinate implementation, compile statistics and reports, manage data, inspect, monitor and summarize and evaluate the results of non-communicable disease prevention and control in the locality.

At the same time, direct hospitals and provincial-level medical units to provide data to focal units, ensure unified connection, and close coordination between provincial and district-level medical facilities to compile statistics and reports, and manage information on non-communicable diseases according to regulations.

In addition, organize training, retraining, and professional guidance on detection, prevention, management, and treatment of non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders for grassroots health care to improve capacity and update knowledge for health workers.

Localities ensure adequate medicines and medical equipment necessary for the management and treatment of non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders, and effectively implement activities to prevent, detect, manage, and treat non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders at the grassroots health level.

According to the World Health Organization, after the Covid-19 pandemic, we will face a pandemic of non-communicable diseases. Therefore, in addition to preventing emerging infectious diseases such as Covid-19..., countries need to focus on preventing and treating non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and mental illness. In addition, there is another disease that is trauma due to accidents.

It is estimated that each year in Vietnam, the number of deaths due to non-communicable diseases accounts for 77% of total deaths from all causes, mainly due to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Hospital reports also show that 65-75% of inpatients suffer from non-communicable diseases. Hospitals, cancer treatment departments, respiratory and cardiovascular departments are all very crowded with patients. Mental health is also a huge challenge.

According to statistics from the Central Endocrinology Hospital, about 6-7% of the population has diabetes; according to the Vietnam National Heart Institute, the "silent killer" is high blood pressure, which accounts for 25% of people over 25 years old... All non-communicable diseases are increasing rapidly. However, the worrying thing is that only 1/3 of patients with the disease are detected and treated.

In addition, Vietnam is a country that consumes a lot of alcohol, which has increased accidents, strokes, and heart attacks. The high rate of smoking is also a factor causing many diseases from cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, etc.