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| Leaders of Vietnam Geriatrics Association presenting flowers to congratulate the conference organizers |
The conference took place against a backdrop of population aging, which is posing numerous challenges for the healthcare system. According to figures presented at the conference, people aged 60 and above accounted for approximately 12% of Vietnam’s population in 2022, a proportion projected to rise to 28% by 2050. Along with this trend, the number of elderly living with chronic diseases is increasing, leading to greater demand for specialized, continuous and comprehensive healthcare.
In his opening speech, Professor Pham Nhu Hiep, Director of Hue Central Hospital, emphasized the goal of establishing the conference as an annual scientific forum where experts and healthcare professionals can update their knowledge, share experience and discuss practical issues in caring for the elderly. This year’s theme focuses on two overarching priorities: proactive early prevention and comprehensive treatment tailored to the complex needs of the elderly, who often have multiple medical conditions, take multiple medications and require more complex care.
More than 50 scientific presentations were delivered at the conference, covering areas such as diabetes management in the elderly, geriatric rehabilitation, immunosenescence and the effectiveness of vaccine-based prevention, declining lung function, blood pressure control, heart failure, osteoporosis, chronic kidney disease and metabolic disorders.
Notably, experts discussed individualized approaches to blood pressure management in the elderly with multiple comorbidities; the management of type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and cardiometabolic-renal-hepatic syndrome. Other topics included caring for the very elderly, managing multimorbidity and polypharmacy, and applying artificial intelligence to healthcare.
Alongside the scientific presentations, a continuing medical education program in geriatrics was organized to update knowledge and strengthen the practical skills of healthcare professionals. Topics included the treatment of heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, the diagnosis and treatment of dementia, the selection of anticoagulants for elderly patients with atrial fibrillation, prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in patients with diabetes, and the management of common symptoms in the elderly.
Through the conference, Hue Central Hospital continues to promote academic exchange, share professional experience and strengthen collaboration among healthcare institutions. The event also provides an opportunity to review advances in geriatrics, with the aim of improving treatment outcomes, quality of care and quality of life for the elderly amid the growing demands on healthcare systems in an aging society.