Thuy Dung
The disease is a huge burden for the economy because if all diabetes patients are treated, it must cost 25% of the total healthcare expenses annually in Vietnam, show a report at the Diabetes Advocacy Forum organized by the Danish Embassy in Hanoi and the Vietnam Association of Diabetes and Endocrinology (VADE). The event was held with support of Novo Nordisk, a Danish healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care.
Data at the forum shows more than 382 million people worldwide have diabetes in 2013 and by 2035 this will have risen to 592 million, while 5.1 million people die of diabetes in 2013, making it one of the main killers.
Vietnam is not an exception.
Pham Luong Son, head of the Vietnam Social Insurance Policy Department under Vietnam Social Insurance, said that between 2002 and 2012, the number of people in Vietnam diagnosed with diabetes increased 211%, making Vietnam one of countries with the highest growth in diabetes patients worldwide.
“Only three million out of five million with diabetes are treated… However, if all patients with diabetes are treated, the total cost may be at VND12.5 trillion, making up almost 25% of the total healthcare cost,” noted Son.
The reasons for the high rise of diabetic patients, according to Luong Ngoc Khue, director of the Medical Service Administration of the Ministry of Health, are the increasing popularity of Western lifestyles in Vietnam, a lack of physical activities and an improper diet regime.
Speaking at the forum, Danish Ambassador John Nielsen said diabetes is an enormous epidemic across Vietnam, representing 5.8% of the population. By 2035, the number of patients with diabetes is forecast to double, a big challenge for the Government.
Lars Rebien Sorensen, CEO of Novo Nordisk, said diabetes is a challenge which no government, patient association or private company can solve on its own. It requires partnerships and a mutual call to action, he said.
Đăng ký: VietNam News
