People with diabetes in Vietnam rise, seven million sufferers documented

More than half of the cases are either undiagnosed or untreated, while roughly one-third of those diagnosed and treated went on to achieve their treatment goals, said the health professional.

Most notably, more than 55% of the patients suffered complications, with 34% being cardiovascular. Elsewhere, 39.5% of patients endured eye and neurological complications, while 24% suffered from kidney complications.

In Vietnam, the number of child patients is on an upward trajectory, of which type 1 diabetes accounts for 90%. Currently, there are about 2,000 children who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, according to data compiled by pediatric hospitals.

The Ministry of Health attributed the rise to environmental factors such as increased levels of urbanisation, population density, socio-economic status, and geographic distance.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien, director of the National Children's Hospital, said that type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, can occur from newborns to any age group at any time.

However, there are several cases that when the disease is detected it is already in a state of coma or acidosis, posing high life-threatening risks.

Experts underscored the importance of early detection, timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and good control of type 1 diabetes, as well as changing lifestyles to proper nutrition and increasing physical exercises in order to prevent the disease.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health, relevant associations, public-private partners, and international organisations should strive to co-operate in disseminating information about the disease whilst providing guidelines for diagnosis and treatment across medical facilities nationwide.