Viet Nam, UK enhance cooperation in preventive healthcare for ageing populations

The Deputy Health Minister made the statement last week while leading a Vietnamese healthcare delegation on a visit to the UK to enhance the exchange of experience among leading experts of the two countries on preventive healthcare practices, especially adult vaccination and sustainable healthcare workforce training.

Population ageing: The growing importance of preventive healthcare in Viet Nam

Viet Nam is entering a period of population ageing, with the proportion of people aged 60 and over expected to reach about 20 percent by 2038.

As the immune system declines with age - a process known as "immunosenescence" - older adults become more susceptible to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory illnesses. Moreover, immunodeficiency and underlying medical conditions further increase vulnerability to infectious diseases, leading to a "disease-on-disease" situation that complicates treatment.

This is a global challenge, as the population aged 60 and over is also growing rapidly and is projected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050. In this age group, infections still account for approximately 33 percent of all deaths, with respiratory infections being particularly significant-notably bacterial pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and SARS-CoV-2.

These challenges necessitate urgent and comprehensive healthcare solutions, in which early prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases plays a crucial role in reducing the long-term burden of illness. This is also an area where the UK has accumulated extensive experience in policymaking and implementing healthcare programs for older adults and those with chronic diseases.

At the event, Jonathan Van-Tam, Emeritus Professor at the University of Nottingham (UK) and former UK Deputy Chief Medical Officer (during the 2017–2022 period) shared his scientific expertise and experience in implementing vaccination programmes in the UK.

"We need to proactively get ahead of the curve as the pace of population ageing accelerates. How do we age healthily so that each year lived is of quality-not just adding years to life, but adding life to years? To increase adult vaccination, we need to focus on leveraging and deploying it on already well-functioning platforms and existing systems," said Jonathan Van- Tam.

According to him, Viet Nam could consider integrating and expanding access to adult vaccination across chronic disease care pathways in hospitals, while strengthening healthcare workers' capabilities.

Promoting international cooperation

On this occasion, the delegation also held a working meeting and academic exchange at Imperial College London - a world-leading institution in biomedical education and research.

Senior academic staff from Imperial College London's Faculty of Medicine shared innovative approaches to medical education and vaccinology, spanning discovery research through to clinical trials. They also introduced Imperial's distinctive innovation model, including an "incubator" for early-stage ideas, and highlighted successful international collaborations.

The programme further showcased advanced teaching methods for undergraduate medical students, such as the use of AI and VR, and discussed future partnership opportunities, with a focus on advances in vaccinology and addressing immunosenescence in adults.

With its foundation in preventive science and vaccine research expertise, GSK is working with the British Embassy in Viet Nam, the Ministry of Health, universities, and medical experts to foster academic exchange between the two countries.

Equipping doctors and medical staff with comprehensive knowledge of vaccines and immunization, starting at the postgraduate level, is considered a key factor in building a future-ready healthcare workforce and contributing to sustainable public health protection.

Population ageing and getting ahead of disease together

Deputy Minister Nguyen stated that prevention is a strategic priority in Viet Nam's healthcare system transformation, especially in the context of population ageing and the increasing burden of chronic diseases. This aligns with the spirit of Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo, which emphasizes shifting from treatment-focused to prevention-focused care.

He added that Viet Nam welcomes sustainable cooperation plans to support the integration of preventive measures into routine medical care within the hospital system, contributing to protecting and improving public health in the long term.

Representing the British Government, Mr. William Lawrenson, Deputy Consul General and Head of Trade & Investment at the British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed the UK's commitment to supporting the Vietnamese Ministry of Health in promoting preventive medicine as a crucial pillar of a sustainable healthcare system.

He added that the UK's strengths in science, innovation, and academic expertise can make practical contributions to strengthening healthcare system capacity. Long-term collaboration between governments, academic institutions, and the private sector will play a key role in building a future-ready healthcare workforce and improving public health.

The visit is expected to further strengthen healthcare cooperation between the two nations, promote initiatives in prevention, innovation, and experience sharing, and support the development of a sustainable healthcare system and healthy ageing./.