A national project on bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been implemented in 30 provinces and cities across the country in 2014 has helped spread knowledge about the diseases in the community, it was reported at a conference in Hanoi on December 25. Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Xuyen, said the project also significantly contributed to improving diagnosis and treatment of the diseases at local hospitals, bettering health care for people and easing the overload for central-level hospitals. Operated by Bach Mai Hospital as part of the National Target Program for Preventing Non-communicable Diseases in the 2012-15 period, the project has organized a number of training courses for medical workers, while over 1,000 people received examination in the framework of the project. COPD is now one of the three leading killers in the world. The latest statistics show that about 4.2% of Vietnam’s populations suffer from this disease. In 2015, the project will be expanded to 15 more localities. Activities related to communication works, training, screening check-up will be also intensified in the time ahead. (Vietnamplus Dec 25)
