Sanofi launches Tier 3 training programme on diabetes in Vietnam

This partnership demonstrates the strong commitment of Sanofi and advocates around the world to stand together against diabetes and improve the life of people with diabetes.

As scheduled, Tier 3 of iSTEP-D will be launched widely with 20 core courses and 20 advanced courses.

Whilst Tier 2 involved only doctors who specialise in diabetes, Tier 3 is open to general practitioners. Accordingly, 1.200 general practitioners nationwide will be provided with the basic and the most updated knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes with ADA’s standards.

Courses will be organised at five training centres across Hanoi, Hue, Ho Chi Minh cities.

“Launching iSTEP-D in Vietnam is critical as we are facing the fact that the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes is inconsistent. It is vital that we take immediate action in order to achieve better management of diabetes, especially in early stages. Raising awareness of the disease and providing profound training for Vietnamese doctors are key factors to the success of the programme,” said Thai Hong Quang, chairman of the Vietnamese Association of Diabetes and Endocrinology.

“There are approximately five million people with diabetes, but only 33.4 per cent is diagnosed and among this, 56.3 per cent has not been treated. On top of this is the fast-growing incidence of diabetes, averaging 5.5 per cent nationwide, the ratio could be much higher in big cities,” Quang added.

Participating in the iSTEP-D Tier 2, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hai from Trung Vuong Hospital’s Endocrinology Department said: “iSTEP-D provides us with the most updated scientific information and international treatment guidelines that can be applied to the management of diabetes in Vietnam. In particular, apart from the doctors who specialised in diabetes, the programme is also open to general practitioners. Patients will then be more effectively treated and can better manage the disease.”

One of iSTEP-D trainers, Nguyen Khoa Dieu Van, head of Diabetes and Endocrinology Department, Bach Mai Hospital, said: “iSTEP-D is the first of its kind in Vietnam which is very valuable for both endocrinologists and general practitioners. Thanks to the programme, doctors can access the most fundamental as well as the most up-to-date knowledge on diabetes so that they can provide more accurate and effective diagnosis and treatment to diabetes patients.”

“This launching is the first step in proliferating iSTEP-D throughout the country. By supporting this programme, Sanofi intends to contribute to the enhancement of knowledge about diabetes in the medical community and strengthen its commitment for better care and management of diabetes in Vietnam,” said Cyril Grandchamp-Desraux, general manager of Sanofi Indochina.

iSTEP-D is a three-year medical education programme involving more than 1,500 physicians in Vietnam. The programme aims to update standardised practical knowledge in diabetes, thus enhancing the effectiveness of diabetes diagnosis and treatment in Vietnam.

Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme.