Stroke Impact in Vietnam: Current Insights

According to a report from the World Health Organization, there are approximately 13.7 million stroke cases globally each year, leading to around 5.5 million fatalities, making it a primary cause of death.

Dr. Vo Van Tan from Gia Dinh People’s Hospital mentioned that in Vietnam, the incidence of stroke is between 1,100 and 1,200 cases per 100,000 individuals, with a mortality rate of 210 per 100,000, which is three times higher than in Thailand.

Thang noted that Vietnam excels in providing acute medical care for stroke patients, boasting higher numbers of advanced treatment successes than neighboring countries such as Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Vietnam is comparable to Thailand in terms of acute treatment statistics.

There are currently 126 dedicated stroke centers across the country, enhancing patient access to specialized care.

Vietnam has made significant progress in both acute and preventive care for stroke, managing to identify 90% of the main causes. Additionally, medication for treatment has become more accessible to the public. Nevertheless, the occurrence of strokes continues to rise.

Dr. Tan reiterated that stroke incidences are increasing, leading to more cases of death and disability.

A primary issue identified is the inconsistency in treatment capabilities among stroke centers. “Some facilities offer comprehensive treatment, while others only provide basic assistance, leading to subpar patient care,” he explained.

Moreover, there is insufficient focus on the secondary treatment and rehabilitation necessary for stroke recovery.

Despite improved public awareness regarding strokes, it remains inadequate. Many individuals resort to traditional remedies and only seek medical assistance when conditions worsen, often missing critical early intervention opportunities.

Furthermore, Vietnam lacks extensive programs aimed at screening for stroke risk or managing factors contributing to stroke among patients.

Thang pointed out that the focus of Vietnam’s screening initiatives is primarily on high-risk groups, such as smokers and those with pre-existing conditions, while neglecting other populations.

“To effectively manage stroke within the community, we need to enhance our preventive measures in addition to improving treatment techniques. Innovative treatment can save countless lives, but a robust prevention strategy has the potential to save millions,” he stated.

Thang also emphasized that Vietnam currently lacks comprehensive data to evaluate stroke risks within the population, which is challenging due to the significant financial and human resources required for this effort.