Nearly 65% of population undiagnosed for diabetes
(VOV) - The incidence of diabetes in Vietnamese adults now stands at 5.42% and 65% of the population have not been screened for the disease, according to the Health Ministry.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reports there were 382 million people with diabetes in 2013 globally, causing 5.1 million deaths and a healthcare loss of about US$548 million.
The World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts diabetes will become the seventh leading cause of death in the world by 2030.
Diabetes is one of the common causes of morbidity and premature mortality in most countries, principally as a result of the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is also a leading cause of blindness, amputation and kidney failure.
Limited knowledge about diabetes, along with inadequate access to health services and essential medicines can lead to the aforesaid complications.
Results from a study of diabetes control conducted in 2010 in Ho Chi Minh City also pointed out that for every 10 patients diagnosed as diabetes, 6 have complications of type 3 diabetes.
A major challenge to health services for diabetes patients in Vietnam is a lack of qualified medical staff and updated knowledge about diabetes prevention and control.
Therefore, Vietnam has set a target of providing diabetes training courses for more than 200 teachers and 2,000 medical staff nationwide in the coming time for early detection and more effective treatment of people with diabetes.