Vietnam currently has approximately seven million people with diabetes, a number that has doubled compared to 10 years ago, with an increasing trend observed among children.

Over half of the cases remain undiagnosed or untreated, while only about one-third of those diagnosed and treated successfully achieved their treatment goals, the Vietnam News Agency quoted Prof. Dr. Tran Huu Dang, president of the Vietnam Association of Endocrinology – Diabetes, as saying.

Significantly, more than 55 percent of the patients experienced complications, with cardiovascular issues affecting 34 percent. 

About 39.5 percent of the patients faced eye and neurological complications, while 24 percent dealt with kidney issues.

Notably, the number of child patients has increased to approximately 2,000, with type 1 diabetes currently accounting for 90 percent of the cases, according to data from major pediatric hospitals.

The Ministry of Health attributes this rise to environmental factors including urbanization, population density, socio-economic status, and geographic location.

At the Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics in Hanoi, 943 children have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over the last 33 years. 

Currently, 586 children under 18 years old continue to receive treatment and management. 

Nationally, the number of children with type 1 diabetes has shown a rising trend over the past seven years, with an annual diagnosis rate ranging from 60 to 95 new cases from 2017 to 2023.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien, director of the Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics, emphasized that type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, can manifest from infancy to any age at any time.

However, there are cases where the disease is detected only when the patient is in a coma or acidosis, posing significant life-threatening risks.

Experts stress the critical importance of early detection, prompt diagnosis, effective treatment, and rigorous management of type 1 diabetes. 

They also advocate for lifestyle changes such as adopting proper nutrition and increasing physical activity to help prevent the disease.

The Ministry of Health, relevant associations, public-private partners, and international organizations should collaborate on disseminating information about the disease and providing guidelines for diagnosis and treatment across medical facilities nationwide.

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