The Vietnamese government has spent more than VND1.2 billion ($63,500) from its budget for a program on diabetes prevention in Ho Chi Minh City this year, the Vietnam News Agency said June 17, citing the city’s nutrition center. Under the program, hospitals and health clinics in the city's districts will compile a list of residents aged between 30 and 64 in to identify the number of diabetics. The money will be spent on buying medical equipment and materials, vice head of the center Do Thi Ngoc Diep said. In addition, diabetes consulting offices will be set up at hospitals and health clinics which will screen patients and offer treatment, Diep added. The Nutrition Centre will organize activities to improve awareness on diabetes in the city through media. More training courses will be held to improve communication skills as well as nutrition awareness in the city's wards and communes. Viet Nam is one of several countries where the diabetes rate has soared, having reached nearly 20% per year, according to the National Hospital of Endocrinology. In 2008, nearly 4.5 million people nationwide, most of them between 45 and 64 years of age, were identified as diabetics.
