The high-level Vietnamese healthcare delegation, led by the Vice Minister of Health of Vietnam, Associate Professor, MD, Dr. Nguyen Tri Thuc, during its visit and working trip to the United Kingdom

Population Ageing and the Importance of Preventive Healthcare

Vietnam is entering a period of population ageing, with the proportion of people aged 60 and over expected to reach about 20% of the population by 2038. As the immune system declines with age – known as "immunosenescence" – older adults become more susceptible to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory illnesses.

Moreover, immunodeficiency and underlying medical conditions further increase susceptibility to infectious diseases, leading to a “disease-on-disease” situation that complicates treatment.

This is a global challenge, as the population aged 60 and over is also growing rapidly, projected to reach 2.1 billion people by 2050. In this age group, infections still account for approximately 33% of all deaths, with respiratory infections being paramount, notably bacterial pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2.

These challenges necessitate urgent comprehensive healthcare solutions, where early prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases plays a crucial role in reducing the long-term burden of illness. This is also an area where the UK has accumulated extensive experience in policy-making and implementing healthcare programmes for older adults and those with chronic diseases.

At the event, Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, Emeritus Professor at the University of Nottingham (UK) and former UK Deputy Chief Medical Officer (2017–2022), himself, of joint Vietnamese-British heritage shared his scientific expertise and experience in implementing vaccination programmes in the UK, stating: "We need to proactively get ahead of the curve as the pace of population ageing accelerates. How do we age healthily, so that each year lived is of quality, not just adding years to life, but adding life to years. To increase adult vaccination, we need to focus on leveraging and deploying it on already well-functioning platforms and existing systems." According to him, Vietnam can consider starting by integrating and expanding access to adult vaccination across chronic disease care pathways in hospitals, while strengthening healthcare workers' capabilities.

Representing the British Government, Mr. William Lawrenson, Deputy Consul General, Head of Trade & Investment, British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed the UK's commitment to supporting the healthcare in Vietnam

Promoting International Cooperation and Experience Sharing in Sustainable Healthcare Workforce Training

On this occasion, the delegation also held a working meeting and in-depth academic exchange at Imperial College London – a world-leading institution in biomedical education and research.

Senior academic staff from Imperial College London’s Faculty of Medicine shared innovative approaches to medical education and vaccinology, spanning discovery research through to clinical trials. They also introduced Imperial’s distinctive innovation model, including an “incubator” for early-stage ideas, and highlighted successful international collaborations. The programme further showcased advanced teaching methods for undergraduate medical students - such as the use of AI and VR - and discussed future partnership opportunities, with a focus on advances in vaccinology and addressing immunosenescence in adults. 

With its foundation in preventive science and vaccine research expertise, GSK is working with the British Embassy in Vietnam, the Ministry of Health, universities, and medical experts to foster academic exchange between the two countries. Equipping doctors and medical staff with thorough knowledge of vaccines and immunisation, starting from postgraduate level, is considered a key factor in building a future-ready healthcare workforce and contributing to sustainable public health protection.

At Imperial College London, the delegation discussed medical training programmes aimed at preparing for the future and strengthening the sustainability of the healthcare system

Healthy Ageing and Getting Ahead of Disease Together

At the forum, the Vice Minister of Health of Vietnam, Associate Professor, MD, Dr. Nguyen Tri Thuc emphasised: "Prevention is strategic priority in Vietnam's healthcare system transformation, especially in the context of population ageing and the increasing burden of chronic diseases, aligning with the spirit of Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo on shifting from treatment-focused to prevention-focused care. We welcome sustainable cooperation plan to support the integration of preventive measures into routine medical care within the hospital system, contributing to protecting and improving public health in the long term."

Representing the British Government, Mr. William Lawrenson, Deputy Consul General, Head of Trade & Investment, British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed the UK's commitment to supporting the Vietnamese Ministry of Health in promoting preventive medicine as a crucial pillar of a sustainable healthcare system.

He stated: "We are confident that the UK's strengths in science, innovation, and academic expertise can make practical contributions to strengthening healthcare system capacity. Long-term collaborations between governments, academic institutions, and the private sector will play a key role in building a future-ready healthcare workforce and improving public health in the long run."

The visit is expected to further strengthen healthcare cooperation between the two nations, promote initiatives in prevention, innovation, and experience sharing, aiming for a sustainable healthcare system and supporting healthy ageing.