Society

Vietnam urged to counteract “aged” population scenario

Vietnam needs to reverse the trend of becoming an “aged” population, a process which was first recognised in 2011.
Vietnam needs to reverse the trend of becoming an “aged” population, a process which was first recognised in 2011.

The country’s population is forecast to be “aged” by 2028-2031, whichis sooner than in many developed countries, Deputy Head of the GeneralDepartment for Population and Family Planning Nguyen Van Tan said at aconference in Hanoi on September 17 as part of the 12th ASEAN HealthMinisters’ Meeting from September 15-19.

Deputy HealthMinister Nguyen Viet Tien informed participants that residents aged 65and over made up 7 percent of Vietnam’s total population and theypredominantly lived in rural areas where medical equipment and serviceswas inadequate.

In Vietnam, more than 70 percent of theelderly rely on financial support from their families in addition totheir own income-generating activities and savings.

Furthermore, 95 percent of Vietnam’s elderly live with chronic and non-communicable diseases.

Workshop participants discussed a range of measures to address thesetrends and provide community-based care for senior citizens.

On the same day, a workshop was held in the capital on sustainable financing for the fight against HIV/AIDS in ASEAN.

In 2013, the Prime Minister approved a project aiming to securesufficient funding for the fight against HIV/AIDS until 2020, DeputyHealth Minister Nguyen Thanh Long told participants.

Vietnam is also working to guarantee an ample supply of anti-retroviral (ARV) medication and methadone for patients.

Compared to 30 years ago, the number of new cases of HIV/AIDSinfections and AIDS fatalities has declined significantly, with thenumber of AIDS patients on ARV treatment on the rise, Long said.-VNA
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