27th ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Congress takes place in Hanoi
The 27th ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Congress (AFCC 2023) opened in Hanoi on November 3, bringing together over 2,000 domestic and foreign delegates, including about 300 leading cardiologists as guest speakers from ASEAN and around the world.
The 27th ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Congress (AFCC 2023) opens in Hanoi on November 3. (Photo: Nhandan online)
Hanoi (VNA) – The 27th ASEAN Federation of CardiologyCongress (AFCC 2023) opened in Hanoi on November 3, bringing together over 2,000 domestic and foreign delegates, including about 300 leading cardiologists as guest speakers from ASEAN and around the world.
This is the second time Vietnam has hosted thecongress - an annual prestigious scientific forum for cardiologists in the regionand around the world.
Theme "Cardiology at theCrossroads: Challenges and Opportunities", the AFCC 2023, hosted by the Vietnam National Heart Association (VNHA) , focus oncardiovascular disease management in the context of multiple comorbidities,based on newly advanced interventions & technology, artificial intelligence,and telemedicine.
The congress, which runs November 5, includes more than 80scientific sessions with 750 reports tobe presented.
🥃 Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause ofdeath globally, claiming 19.5 million lives each year, accounting for aboutone-third of deaths from all causes, according to the 2022 Global Burden ofDisease report.
The number of people suffering from and dying ofcardiovascular diseases is increasing rapidly in low- and low-middle-incomecountries, accounting for 75% of total deaths, including countries in SoutheastAsia.
ꩵ Along with lifestylechanges and population aging, the burden of cardiovascular diseases isincreasing in ASEAN members.
According to the World Heart Federation, it is estimated that eachyear, about 4 million people in the ASEAN region die from cardiovascular diseases. InVietnam, about 200,000 people die from cardiovascular diseases each year,accounting for 33% of deaths.
Addressing the congress, Minister of Health DaoHong Lan highlighted that Vietnam has issued documents on people's health care, with afocus on preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases.
She called on cardiologists in Southeast Asia be cohesive, share valuable experiences inclinical practice, and bring ASEAN cardiology on par with developedcountries in the world.
🌺 She asked the Vietnam National Heart Association andrelevant agencies to strengthen the prevention and control of non-communicablediseases, notably cardiovascular diseases./.
The northern region is experiencing a severe cold spell, prompting people to brace themselves for the extreme weather conditions by strengthening their immunity and resistance to common winter diseases, especially heart diseases, hypertension and stroke.
Ischaemic heart diseases have become the key cause of death for Malaysians in 2022, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) reported on October 30.
President Vo Van Thuong hosted a reception in Hanoi on November 2 for a delegation of 50 leading cardiac experts and scientists from nations worldwide and ASEAN who will attend the 27th ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Congress (AFCC 2023) in the capital city.
Vietnam now boasts a nationwide healthcare network with 1,665 hospitals, 384 of which are non-public, supported by local commune- and ward-level stations. At the end of 2024, hospital bed capacity reached 34 per 10,000 people, slightly above the global average.
The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
TytoCare, a leading Israeli telemedicine company based in Netanya, is willing to work with Vietnamese regulators, insurers, and healthcare providers to develop a sustainable digital health ecosystem.
The partnership is under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding on the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, signed in Hanoi on July 22.
An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
Health authorities in HCM City have issued an urgent alert after six people died from dengue fever, amid a spike in infections driven by the onset of the rainy season.
During the peak months of July and August 2025, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) needs at least 90,000 units of blood to supply 180 hospitals in the northern region. However, despite continuous efforts, the reserve blood is still short of 30,000 units.
The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
Currently, cardiovascular specialists from the 108 Military Central Hospital are working alongside a team of Prof.Dr. Jan D. Schmitto, Deputy Director of MHH’s Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery on clinical trials for MCS devices, implanted in heart failure patients either as a bridge to transplantation or as permanent treatment.
The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.
Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
The 27th ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Congress (AFCC 2023) opens in Hanoi on November 3. (Photo: Nhandan online) 
