Diabetes forum aims to tackle epidemic

The forum aimed to identify ways to sustainably improve efforts to combat the disease.

Novo Nordisk shared success stories from all over the world, and particularly in developing countries.

Diabetes is increasing rapidly worldwide. According to the latest update of the IDF Diabetes Atlas, more than 382 million people have the disease at current and it expects that number to rise to 592 million by 2035.

The human and economic costs are enormous, with an estimated $548 billion spent on diabetes care this year.

Vietnam is no exception to the fast growth of the disease worldwide.

In the 1990s, the incidence of diabetes among the Vietnamese population aged 20-79 stood at 1.2 per cent. This jumped to 2.7 per cent in 2002, 5.3 per cent in 2012, and 5.8 per cent in 2013. Vietnam has one of the highest growth rates in the world.

The disease has reached epidemic status in the country with recent studies showing an estimated five million people affected.

Changes in lifestyle, insufficient exercise, and poor nutrition are to blame.

In the fight against diabetes, Vietnam is challenged by a limited number of trained physicians, low awareness, a large number of undiagnosed carriers, and poor healthcare infrastructure.

To improve the quality of care, a public-private partnership known as the Vietnam Diabetes Care Programme (VDCP) was launched in 2012 with a three year action plan.

The programme brought together the Ministry of Health, the Vietnam Association of Diabetes and Endocrinology, leading hospitals nationwide, and Novo Nordisk and focuses on five clear objectives, increasing public awareness, raising the number of trained physicians, collecting thorough data on diabetes care, improving healthcare infrastructure, and improving care for children and pregnant mothers.

“Diabetes is a global health challenge that affects millions of people and is on the rise in Vietnam. It is a challenge that no government, association, or company can solve on their own. It requires partnerships and a mutual call to action. The Vietnam Diabetes Care Programme is a good example of a national collaborative response,” said Novo Nordisk A/S CEO Lars Rebien Sorensen.

“Novo Nordisk has a long, proven track record in Vietnam and its research, knowledge and technical capabilities in diabetes prevention are second to none,” said Danish Ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen.

“The programme aims to address the growing challenge of diabetes in Vietnam and this forum is a call for action to all care providers to improve treatment and prevention,” said Novo Nordisk Pharma Operation A/S in Vietnam general manager Jay Thyagarajan.