Ministry, AstraZeneca cooperate to improve lung health in Vietnam
The Health Ministry and AstraZeneca have signed a cooperation pact to implement the “Healthy Lung” programme in Vietnam, funded by the multinational biopharmaceutical company.
At the signing of cooperation pact for the Healthy Lung programme between the Health Ministry and AstraZeneca company. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – The HealthMinistry and AstraZeneca have signed a cooperation pact to implement the“Healthy Lung” programme in Vietnam, funded by the multinationalbiopharmaceutical company.
The signing ceremony for thethree-year programme took place in Hanoi on October 18.
The pact marked the health body’sinvolvement in the 1-million-USD programme, which was launched last month by AstraZeneca,the Vietnam Medical Association, the Vietnam Respiratory Society and theVietnam Association against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases.
“Healthy Lung”, as part of anAstraZeneca global initiative, aims to enhance management and public awarenessof asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), contributing toreducing cases and deaths.
Under the programme, AstraZeneca willsponsor the building of 150 outpatient centres treating the diseases tofacilitate early detection and treatment. The outpatient treatment network isexpected to reduce economic and health care burdens for Vietnam.
Under the deal, the ministry willwork with AstraZeneca and other partners to hold training courses and seminars,providing updated information for public health workers nationwide.
A national survey showed that about4.2 percent of the Vietnamese population suffers from COPD, while many others areyet to be diagnosed and treated due to poor infrastructure, limited publicawareness, and weak health sector capacity. The research said only 43.9 percentof polled Vietnamese doctors could name four COPD diagnosis criteria.-VNA
The Da Nang’s Oncology Hospital, in cooperation with the biopharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca, has launched its first-ever Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation testing programme.
As many as 150 outpatient centres treating chronic asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be built at total investment of 1 million USD by AstraZeneca multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company under the “Health lung” programme.
Leading ophthalmology experts shared their experiences in preventing blindness and treating eye diseases at the 2025 Ophthalmology Conference in Hanoi on August 8-9.
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.
At the signing of cooperation pact for the Healthy Lung programme between the Health Ministry and AstraZeneca company. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) 
