The event in the northern city of Ha Long was joined by experts from the Ministry of Health, the Vietnamese Respiratory Society, the Vietnamese Lung Association, the Vietnamese Pediatric Association, the Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology Society of Ho Chi Minh City, and AstraZeneca Vietnam.
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Experts attend the conference "Healthy Lung - Milestones Achieved in Outpatient management of Asthma & COPD". Photo courtesy of AstraZeneca
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During the event, experts engaged in discussions on the development of healthcare infrastructure at the grassroots level, the enhancement of knowledge and capabilities of healthcare professionals, and empowering patients to access effective treatment and management strategies for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD is a progressive condition that causes breathing difficulties and severe complications, posing a threat to the lives of affected individuals.
Globally, it is estimated that there were 251 million cases of COPD in 2016 and it ranks as the third leading cause of death.
In Vietnam, COPD affects 7.1% of men and 1.9% of women aged 40 and above. This is primarily attributed to the prevailing environmental pollution, dust, and tobacco smoke, which have continued to worsen.
Asthma is a global health issue that has been on the rise over the years. It is a chronic respiratory inflammation that affects both adults and children.
It is a non-communicable disease and affects approximately 4.4% of the global population. According to the World Health Organization’s estimation, asthma contributes to an annual death toll of 461,000 cases worldwide.
In Vietnam alone, the prevalence of asthma is about 4.1% of the population, equivalent to over 4 million individuals.
The Healthy Lung Program is a multinational initiative by AstraZeneca aimed at enhancing the quality of outpatient management for asthma and COPD in nine Asian countries. Vietnam is one of the first countries to implement this program.
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Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Department of Medical Service Administration - Ministry of Health, gives opening speech at the conference. Photo courtesy of AstraZeneca
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"We highly appreciate the valuable contributions created by AstraZeneca to community health and the healthcare sector in Vietnam, particularly the Healthy Lung program, over the past 5 years. Aligning with our vision and with the collective efforts of all involved, I am certain that significant progress will be made and bring about substantial benefits for the people of Vietnam", said Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Department of Medical Service Administration, Ministry of Health.
With the positive results achieved, the program is expected to establish an additional 150 asthma and COPD outpatient clinics for adults and 50 standard asthma outpatient clinics for children in the next stage.
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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien, President of the Vietnam Pediatrics Association, shares about the outpatient management model for asthma in children at the conference. Photo courtesy of AstraZeneca
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According to Prof. Dr. Ngo Quy Chau, Chairman of the Vietnam Respiratory Association, bronchial asthma and COPD in Vietnam is a concern for the health sector.
The prevalence rate of COPD is 4.2% of the population over 40 years old, and the prevalence rate of bronchial asthma is 4.1% of the Vietnamese population. Of these, only 29.1% of asthma patients received preventive treatment, and 39.7% of patients had good disease control.
Therefore, establishing standard asthma and COPD outpatient management rooms will help the grassroots health system manage patients better, thereby reducing hospitalization exacerbations and reducing the load at higher levels, Chau said.
Effective outpatient management of asthma patients also helps reduce the total cost of treatment, he said.
At the seminar "Healthy Lung – Milestones Achieved in Outpatient Management of Asthma & COPD", experts reached a consensus on the overall vision and shared the developmental direction of the Healthy Lung for the 2024–2026 phase.
On this occasion, the program welcomed a new member, the Vietnamese Pediatric Association, to take charge of managing asthma in children.
Nitin Kapoor, Chairman and General Director of AstraZeneca Vietnam, said that they are delighted and proud that the Healthy Lung program has contributed to the establishment of over 150 standardized outpatient clinics for asthma and COPD across Vietnam, achieving their goals alongside the Ministry of Health and professional associations.
"We are eager to continue partnering with the associations to establish an additional 200 clinics nationwide, including 50 pediatric outpatient clinics for asthma, to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of the younger generation and ensure a healthier, brighter future for Vietnam," he added.
Healthy Lung Program Phase 1 (2017–2020) was implemented in Vietnam within the framework of cooperation between AstraZeneca and specialized associations under the management of the Department of Medical Service Administration at the Ministry of Health. In phase 2 (2021–2023), the program has been expanded into the fields of lung cancer and children’s asthma.
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Asso. Prof. Vu Van Giap, General Secretary of the Vietnam Respiratory Association, shares practice on the outpatient management model of Asthma & COPD in Vietnam at the conference. Photo courtesy of AstraZeneca
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Until now, the program has reached and managed over 170,000 patients, supporting the establishment of more than 150 standardized outpatient clinics for asthma and COPD in 51 provinces and cities nationwide.
It has sponsored 186 spirometers and nebulizers for hospitals and medical centers, conducted training and scientific activities for 16,000 healthcare staff in hospitals, supported educational institutions in benefiting nearly 15,000 patients through patient club activities, and provided over 150,000 medical records.
Educational content about the disease is developed and communicated to people and patients effectively through official digital media channels such as the program website and fanpage.
