Not only should we prolong life, but also help the elderly live healthy
At the 6th National Geriatric Conference with the theme "Successful aging and the prevention era in the elderly" held on November 7 and 8, in Quang Ninh, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trung Anh - Director of the Central Geriatric Hospital, Chairman of the Vietnam Geriatric Association emphasized that Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW affirmed: "Developing the geriatrics major, strengthening the elderly health care system, adapting to the population aging process is an urgent task".
"This is the right direction for the health sector in general and the geriatrics sector in particular to continue to innovate thinking, develop a comprehensive care model with early prevention and improve the quality of life of the elderly as the center.
We are entering an era of rapid population aging. The success of modern medicine is not only to prolong life, but also to help the elderly live healthy, active and have a good quality of life. This is a common responsibility of the entire health sector and the whole society, said Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trung Anh.
According to Dr. Vuong Anh Duong - Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health), Vietnam is one of the 10 countries with the highest population aging rate in the world. Therefore, the work of caring for the health of the elderly has always been placed in the top priority group by the Party and the State.
The documents have clearly stipulated the responsibilities of medical facilities, including requiring general and specialized hospitals to organize the Geriatric Department or arrange separate beds for the elderly; at the same time, enhancing rehabilitation, combining traditional medicine and modern medicine in caring for the health of the elderly.
At grassroots health care facilities, commune and ward health stations need to promote communication, consultation, and health records for the elderly, aiming at life-cycle health management.
Research to complete the scope of professional activities and technical categories for geriatricians
According to the leader of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, the Ministry of Health has also issued Circular No. 35/2011/TT-BYT, clearly defining the role of the Central Geriatric Hospital - a leading and final hospital in medical examination, treatment and rehabilitation for the elderly. Geriatric hospitals are required to have a minimum scale of 50 beds, ensuring facilities and human resources to meet the increasing treatment needs.
In professional work, experts have shown that the elderly often have many typical syndrome and diseases such as: vulnerable syndrome, falls syndrome, sarcopenia syndrome (losing muscle mass), nutritional disorders, depression... These syndrome often appear simultaneously in the same patient, especially in the group over 80 years old, when a person can have 6 to 8 diseases at the same time.
Dr. Duong said that the industry is researching to complete the scope of professional activities and technical categories for geriatric doctors. Currently, the national technical list has more than 9,200 techniques, but only about 30 specific techniques of the geriatrics have not been fully updated, such as comprehensive assessment scales for the elderly, assessment of mental, social functions, nutrition... These are the contents that will be added in the coming period.
It is expected that in 2026, Decree 96 and Circular 32 will be amended, and at the same time, guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, technical procedures and determination of the scope of professional activities of the geriatrics specialty will be issued. This will be the foundation for the Vietnamese health system to synchronously develop the field of geriatrics, meeting the health care needs of the elderly in the current rapid aging population.
The development of the Geriatrics major is a key task with profound humanitarian significance. We hope to continue to receive the consensus and intellectual contributions of domestic and international experts to jointly promote the sustainable development of this industry" - Dr. Vuong Anh Duong emphasized.
