The figures were announced by Deputy Minister of Health Pham Le Tuan at an eventheld recently Hanoi.
Only 13.6 percent of people with high blood pressure were receiving treatmentat local health clinics, while the figure was 29 percent for those withdiabetes, Tuan said.
There are 12 million people who suffer from high blood pressure in Vietnam,accounting for 13 percent of the total population; while 3.5 million peoplehave diabetes, accounting for 6 percent.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, puts extra strain on the bloodvessels and major organs such as the heart, brain and kidneys.
Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokeand lower limb amputation.
According to medical experts, a lack of regular check-ups was to blame for thenumber of people with hypertension or diabetes who have not been diagnosed.
Tuan also said that local-level health clinics had failed to provide regularscreenings for the illnesses.
In response to the situation, the ministry issued Decision No 2559/QD-BYT inlate April to improve treatment for people with hypertension and diabetes byorganising training courses for doctors and medical staff at central-levelhospitals.
After finishing the training courses, doctors and medical staff would bedispatched to over 11,000 health clinics at commune and ward levels throughoutthe country to instruct local staff how to diagnose the problems, the ministrysaid.
Luong Ngoc Khue, head of the Health Ministry’s Medical Examination andTreatment Department, said the training would focus on early detection andtreatment, as well as how to encourage people to follow a strict health regime.
According to doctors, high blood pressure could be avoided through a healthylifestyle. This means a healthy diet, regular exercise, limiting alcohol, notsmoking and managing stress.
People with existing high blood pressure should follow their treatment planscarefully.-VNS/VNA