Regular Health Checks Being Expanded for Vietnam's Elderly Population
In the face of a rapidly aging population, the Ministry of Health is conducting comprehensive screenings to increase access to healthcare services for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.
Across Vietnam, approximately 5 million elderly people are undergoing regular health checks, while the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies are carrying out comprehensive activities to increase access to healthcare services for disadvantaged groups and ensure early diagnosis.
The Importance of Regular Health Checks
Around 5 million elderly people across the country undergo regular health checks. In the context of a rapidly aging population, the requirement is not only to increase the number of checks, but also to ensure that poor, lonely, disabled, seriously ill elderly people or those living in remote areas are not deprived of healthcare services.
Diseases Detected Early
During routine screenings at Thuong Tin General Hospital in Hanoi, 72-year-old Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tu, who had no previous complaints, was diagnosed with hypertension. Hospital officials state that thanks to such screenings, many non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders are detected at an early stage.
Current Data and Statistics
According to Nguyen Thanh Binh, President of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly, approximately 5 million elderly people have undergone regular health checks, 4.5 million have health records, and more than 96 percent of the elderly have health insurance cards.
Priority for Disadvantaged Groups
The Ministry of Health requests local authorities to carry out comprehensive activities for the health of the elderly, authorizing home health checks and the establishment of mobile examination teams, especially for those who have difficulty leaving home, are bedridden, or live in remote areas.