Vietnam has over 7mn diabetes cases, more than half undiagnosed: health authorities

The Department of Medical Services Administration under the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Vietnam Medical Association and Roche Pharma Vietnam, hosted a scientific seminar focused on building a comprehensive management model for diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema in hospitals.

The event brought together experts in endocrinology and ophthalmology, along with representatives from major hospitals nationwide.

According to data from the health ministry, over 50 percent of the more than seven million diabetes cases in Vietnam are undiagnosed, posing a high risk of complications.

Among those diagnosed, approximately 39.5 percent experience complications in the eyes and nervous system.

Officials noted that six in ten diabetes patients suffer from eye-related issues, but only a small fraction are screened and diagnosed early.

In Ba Ria – Vung Tau, recently merged into Ho Chi Minh City, an estimated 18,000 people suffer from diabetic retinopathy and macular edema, yet only around 600 are receiving care at specialized eye hospitals.

Experts at the seminar emphasized that low public awareness, limited access to healthcare, and high treatment costs are key barriers to early intervention.

These challenges often result in irreversible vision loss and even blindness.

Nguyen Trong Khoa, deputy director of the Department of Medical Services Administration, underscored the urgent need for a nationwide model for management of diabetic eye complications.

“This not only improves treatment quality but also strengthens ophthalmology capacity at public hospitals, especially at the provincial level. We encourage the use of artificial intelligence in screening and early detection of retinopathy,” he said.

Under the ministry’s plan, several key hospitals will begin piloting the model from 2025 to 2027.

Based on the results, national guidelines will be issued in 2027, followed by a nationwide rollout from 2028 to 2030.

The program aims for more than 75 percent of diabetes patients to receive eye screenings and ongoing monitoring by 2030, in line with the country’s national blindness prevention strategy.

Pham Ngoc Dong, director of the Central Eye Hospital, confirmed that the hospital will take the lead in drafting clinical guidelines and policies to ensure early diagnosis and treatment, especially for working-age individuals.

Nguyen Chi Trung The Truyen, deputy director of Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital, stressed the need to establish a widespread screening system for diabetic complications at the grassroots level.

“This will reduce the burden on higher-level hospitals while giving patients more timely and accessible care,” he said.

The seminar concluded with agreement to form a specialist group and establish a coordination mechanism among stakeholders to improve diabetic eye disease management, reduce preventable blindness, and enhance the quality of life for millions of Vietnamese people.