Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan announced the above information at the 35th Anniversary of the Vietnam Cancer Association held on October 30.
According to Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan, the cost of cancer treatment is also a major economic burden for the whole society. The cost of cancer drugs in 2023 is 7,521 billion VND, ranking first in the total drug payment from the Health Insurance Fund. From the patient's perspective, the burden of paying out of pocket for cancer treatment is very large. According to hospital statistics, the cost of treatment for a cancer patient fluctuates on average over 176 million VND/year, of which the patient has to pay up to 70%.
"Faced with these challenges, we need to have appropriate health policies so that the health system has enough capacity and resources to effectively and sustainably respond to cancer prevention," said Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan.
Vietnam Cancer Association was established on September 1, 1989 under the Vietnam Medical and Pharmaceutical Association. During 35 years of establishment and development, Vietnam Cancer Association has continuously promoted collective intelligence, gathered the passion and enthusiasm for the profession of leading experts and professors in the field of oncology, helping Vietnam Cancer Association develop strongly in terms of expertise, apply many advances of modern medicine and expand the cancer prevention network in 63 provinces and cities nationwide with 91 cancer examination and treatment facilities.
Appreciating the achievements and efforts of the Vietnam Cancer Association after 35 years of establishment and development, Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan suggested that the Association should continue to promote its role in cancer prevention, treatment and control; continue, nurture, build and develop the Association, build the cancer industry to achieve many proud achievements, contribute knowledge and efforts to the cause of cancer prevention; the cause of protecting, caring for and improving people's health.
According to statistics from the World Cancer Organization, on average, each year Vietnam discovers 180,000 new cancer cases, meaning that for every 100,000 people, there are 158.6 new cancer cases. Cancer also causes about 122,000 deaths each year, with an average of 105.6 cancer deaths per 100,000 people.
The World Health Organization predicts that by 2040, the number of new cancer cases in Vietnam will increase by about 59.4%, and the number of cancer deaths will increase by about 70.3%.
