World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the achievements of the Vietnamese health sector in his congratulatory video in early October.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that Vietnam can be proud of the transformation of life and health in the country over the past decades, as life expectancy in the country has increased by 15 years.

With massive reductions in vaccine-preventable diseases, including the eradication of polio, Vietnam has also made great strides in tackling diseases such as HIV, malaria and tuberculosis (TB) epidemics, Tedros added.

He also highlighted that the country has significantly expanded its health insurance system, moving towards universal health coverage. Progress has been made in addressing risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, such as reducing smoking rates.

Doctors and nurses at the 103 Military Hospital in Hanoi after a lung transplant from two living donors. Photo: VNA

The WHO chief commended Vietnam for Vietnam has demonstrated its ability to strongly respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, including a rapid and comprehensive vaccine roll-out to reach the most vulnerable groups.

 "WHO Representative to Vietnam, Dr. Angela Pratt, and I remain committed to supporting the country in its journey towards a healthier, safer and more equitable future for all Vietnamese," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

On 23 May, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong highlighted WHO's close technical partnership with the Government of Vietnam at the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA76) in Geneva.

The official said the country was proud of all the health achievements made with WHO's support during the Covid-19 pandemic and in recent years and hoped to continue this partnership.

"Our health sector has achieved a number of important health achievements, including raising the average life expectancy to over 75 years. Vietnam has also continued to reform its health sector to meet future medical needs, especially in the context of rapid socio-economic development and after the Covid-19 pandemic," Huong said.

The deputy minister added that in response to the WHO's recent declaration of the end of Covid-19, Vietnam has quickly conducted a large-scale vaccination campaign in 2021 and 2022 and ensured nationwide vaccine access.

She cited statistics showing that the country's rate of people fully vaccinated with primary doses is 1.4 times the global average percentage, and the rate of those given booster doses is double the global average.

"Thanks to strong efforts, since the beginning of 2022, Vietnam has entered a period of sustainable management of the pandemic, which means balancing socio-economic development and public health measures to protect vulnerable groups and the health system," Deputy Minister Huong stressed.