Vietnam has 3.5 million asthma sufferers
(VOV) - Almost 4 percent of the Vietnamese population suffers from asthma, said Bach Mai Hospital Director Nguyen Quoc Anh at a meeting in Hanoi on May 3 to mark World Asthma Day.
Although the disease is not contagious, recent research reveals the worldwide bronchial asthma trend is rising, Anh said.
There are 300 million people in the world affected by the disease, and the figure is expected to increase to 400 million by 2025. Treating the disease costs tens of billions of US dollars each year.
Asthma has serous repercussions for patients, their families, and society. Its fatality rate is still high despite advances in its management, Anh said.
He added asthma patients can live normal lives provided proper treatment is received and maintained.
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However, some patients and medical staff have yet to recognize the importance of preventive treatment. Five percent of asthma patients currently completely control the condition and nearly 20 percent manage it well.
At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Xuyen said bronchial asthma is a serious health issue. The healthcare sector has tried to improve the quality of treatment, control, and prevention of the disease.
A project targeting bronchial asthma and lung disease has been running since 2012 and delivered a number of positive results, raising public awareness of preventive measures. The project will proceed in 15 provinces and cities in 2013.
The meeting was followed by a medical seminar on asthma diagnosis and treatment featuring experts from the US, Australia, and Vietnam.