Vietnam healthcare focuses on prevention and elderly care

Vietnam is addressing various healthcare challenges, ranging from disease prevention to administrative oversight and aging population management.

At the 20th National Cardiovascular Congress, experts emphasized shifting focus from hospital-based treatment to community-level prevention and early detection. This comes as cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death globally, with high rates of hypertension and diabetes in Vietnam.

In Ho Chi Minh City, health authorities are managing an aging population of over 1.5 million elderly residents. Medical professionals note that many seniors delay check-ups due to fear or financial concerns. To address this, the city plans to implement free annual health screenings starting in 2026.

Regulatory actions have also been taken in Ho Chi Minh City, where several pharmaceutical and medical facilities faced fines. Notable penalties include a 160 million VND fine for a company producing substandard cosmetics and a 90 million VND fine for a hospital investment company providing services outside its professional scope.

Additionally, personnel changes are underway within the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, including the appointment of new leadership at the Rehabilitation and Occupational Disease Hospital following organizational restructuring.