Nutrigenomics opportunities challenges for public health nutrition

Naomi Kitahara, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Vietnam, speaks to Vietnam News reporter Thu Trang about the milestone of Vietnam's population passing 100 million next month, and the challenges and opportunities that this will bring. Naomi Kitahara. — Photo courtesy of the UNFPA What do you think about Vietnam's population passing 100 million people next month? In comparison with other countries in the region and the world over, how will be Vietnam’s population scale? Vietnam’s population will soon reach 100 million and Vietnam will become the 15th most populous country in the world. This should be seen as an important milestone for Vietnam, and I would like to congratulate the Government of Vietnam as this demonstrates a story of triumph. Vietnam, which was once a war-torn country, has successfully taken a substantial number of people out of poverty, and achieved remarkable socio-economic growth including health, education, … [Read more...] about Population of 100 million provides many great opportunities for Vietnam: UNFPA

Illustrative image. (Photo: baodautu.vn) Hanoi (VNA) - Digital transformation is an opportunity for Vietnam to become a developed country. However, many challenges remain to ensure a rapid, smart and green digital transformation, experts have said. Vietnam ’s information and communications technology (ICT) industry reached 148 billion USD last year, accounting for 14.26% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Lessons learned from developed countries will be valuable suggestions for Vietnam to achieve this goal, insiders said. A representative of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) said that an important lesson from their experience in the EU is to harmonise data protection standards to minimise negative impacts and build public and business trust It is necessary for the National Assembly to consider promulgating the revised Law on Electronic Transactions with appropriate regulations and mechanisms to regulate the activities of … [Read more...] about Vietnam facing huge challenges in accelerating digital transformation: insiders

A medical staff is carrying out neonatal heel prick to take blood samples that are tested for rare genetic conditions.             (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Since 2006, the Ministry of Health has carried out prenatal and newborn screening, diagnosis, and treatment of some diseases and disorders to help reduce costs and improve the health of the future population. According to Pham Hong Quan, Deputy Director of Department of Population Structure and Quality, General Department of Population and Family Planning under the Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister in December 2020 approved a programme on expanding the provision of prenatal and newborn screening, diagnosis, and treatment of some diseases and disorders until 2030. The programme was carried out nationwide in more than 10,000 districts and communes. District-level health units have performed prenatal screening using ultrasound techniques while commune-level medical stations have carried out neonatal heel prick to … [Read more...] about Prenatal, newborn screening programme helps improve population quality

Drugs that combat obesity could for the first time be included on the World Health Organization's "essential medicines list," used to guide government purchasing decisions in low- and middle-income countries, the U.N. agency told Reuters. A panel of advisers to the WHO will review new requests for drugs to be included next month, with an updated essential medicines list due in September. The request to consider obesity drugs was submitted by three doctors and a researcher in the United States. It covers the active ingredient liraglutide in Novo Nordisk's obesity drug Saxenda, which will come off patent soon, allowing for cheaper generic versions. The panel could reject the request or wait for more evidence. A decision by the WHO to include Saxenda and eventual generics on the list would mark a new approach to global obesity by the health agency. It could also pave the way for a newer, more powerful treatment from Novo Nordisk called Wegovy to be recommended for low- and … [Read more...] about WHO to consider adding obesity drugs to ‘essential’ medicines list

Enterprises in the beverage industry need stable policies in terms of taxes and fees to return to pre-pandemic growth. — Photo plo.vn Enterprises urge careful consideration to be given to the Ministry of Finance’s proposal to impose a special consumption tax on sugary drinks to ensure harmonisation of benefits between the State, consumers and producers. Nguyen Quoc Viet, deputy director of the Viet Nam Institute for Economic and Policy Research, said production and business remain difficult. To ensure macro-economic stability, it is necessary to maintain policies which energise enterprises and promote domestic consumption. Policy changes, if any, should be studied carefully to ensure benefits harmonisation. Viet said that it was not a good time to change taxes as it might further burden enterprises and consumers, especially when efforts are being made to recover growth. He added that the adjustments might cause instability in the institutional and legal environment and have … [Read more...] about Careful consideration of special consumption tax on sugary drinks urged

During her four-day visit to Vietnam, starting on March 15, to mark 25 years since the CDC Vietnam country office opened, Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) praised the partnership with Vietnam and expressed her desire to strengthen the collaboration in public health the two countries have established. Walensky said that on the first day of her visit, she signed a letter of intent with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health in which the CDC is committed to the development of a Vietnam National CDC. The coming Vietnam National CDC will enable Vietnam to coordinate its response in health emergencies with a trained workforce, a data and disease surveillance system, and a laboratory system so that it can detect a public health threat when it happens. Vietnam is linked to global health security, according to Walensky. “So much of the work that we do together is in global health security. We recognize and want to do the … [Read more...] about US CDC committed to partnership with Vietnam: director

Chan Siew Mie (left), a senior nurse manager from Singaporean Tan Tock Seng Hospital, demonstrates a permanent catheter dressing to Vietnamese master trainers during a clinical training workshop. (Photo courtesy of Singapore International Foundation) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Since 2018, the Haemodialysis Care Project between Vietnamese and Singaporean partners has worked to improve the overall quality of care for more than 2,500 renal patients in the northern region. The five-year project was a collaboration between Hanoi Medical University (HMU), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and Singapore International Foundation (SIF). During the project, a team of Singapore International Volunteers (SIV), comprising doctors, and nurse specialists from the TTSH’s Department of Renal Medicine, worked with their counterparts from HMU, as well as Bach Mai and Viet Duc hospitals and other dialysis centres in Hanoi. The SIVs trained close to 260 Vietnamese practitioners. Among them, 12 … [Read more...] about More than 2,500 renal patients benefit from Singapore-Vietnam haemodialysis project

Hanoi's goal for 2023 is to secure the city's socio-economic performance and further develop a cultured, modern, and civilized society. Hanoi aims to constantly improve the leadership of the Party Committee and the sense of responsibility of government officials and Party members, especially the heads of government agencies, to fulfill all the socio-economic growth tasks set for 2023. Dinh Tien Dung, Member of the Politburo and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, talks to Nhan Dan (People) newspaper about the plans and actions the city expects to carry out on the occasion of the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the Hanoi Party Committee. Dinh Tien Dung, Member of the Politburo and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee. Photo: The Hanoi Times As head of the Hanoi Party Committee, could you share some of Hanoi's achievements in the first half of 2020-2025? Hanoi has endured many international impacts in the past two and a half … [Read more...] about Innovation-centered approach boosts Hanoi’s performance in socio-economic growth

'Pho Xua He Cu' (Old Streets and Sidewalks) is the name of the solo exhibition in Hanoi that attracted the attention of many viewers because of the artist behind it: 18-year-old Tran Nam Long, who is hearing-impaired and suffers from severe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the artist's special status might not be the most important factor drawing people to the display. Beyond that, there was a lot of affection in the artworks on display. It was not only the unconditional love of Long's mother, but also the young artist's deep appreciation for life in his paintings, despite its many challenges. Perfect technique to draw architecture Exhibition visitors could also feel the mother's great attachment to the Vietnamese capital city, which gives her the opportunity to earn a living and raise a child. In Hanoi, her son was supported so much that he grew from a young man with many deficiencies into who he is today. There was another great love people … [Read more...] about Inspiring artworks by special young Vietnamese artist

The marathon championship in Lai Chau province This year marks the third consecutive time that Herbalife Vietnam has sponsored the country's oldest marathon competition. The 64 th Tien Phong Marathon attracted more than 4,000 entrants. The participants included both professional, national, and international athletes, as well as amateur runners taking part in the short, middle, and long-distance races – 5km, 10km, 21km, and 42km. The athletes experienced one of the most unique racetracks in Vietnam, located in the high mountainous border province in the northwest of the country. They ran through the beautiful highland scenery, passing amazing ethnic villages with rich and unique cultures, and enjoyed the highland market with distinctive products from the local area. Vu Van Thang, general manager for Herbalife Vietnam and Cambodia, is proud to support one of the leading marathons in Vietnam for the third time. "This sponsorship is one of our long-term initiatives to … [Read more...] about Herbalife Vietnam supports 64th Tien Phong Marathon National Championship