The Ministry of Health notes that retinal diseases are not only a medical issue but also a serious socio-economic burden, negatively impacting labor productivity and quality of life for millions of people. Globally, retinal diseases rank among the leading causes of permanent vision loss. WHO data reveals that approximately one in three diabetes patients experience some degree of diabetic retinopathy.

In Vietnam, around 7 million people aged 30-69 suffer from diabetes. Alarmingly, diabetic retinopathy is one of the top causes of blindness among working-age adults. Statistics show that 39.5% of diabetes-related complications affect the eyes and nervous system.

To address this reality, on October 25, the Department of Medical Services Administration (Ministry of Health), the Central Eye Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital, and Roche Pharma Vietnam officially signed a memorandum of understanding for the collaborative program “For Vietnamese Eyes.” The initiative aims to establish a comprehensive management model for patients with diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema - two leading causes of blindness among the working-age population in Vietnam.

According to Nguyen Trong Khoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Services Administration (Ministry of Health), this model not only improves treatment quality for patients but also marks a significant step forward in developing ophthalmology departments at public hospitals, especially at the provincial level. The strategic use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in early diagnosis is expected to greatly enhance disease management.

Associate Professor Pham Ngoc Dong, Director of the Central Eye Hospital, affirmed the institution’s commitment to dedicating its highest expertise and resources to successfully implement the comprehensive care model through the program. This includes developing and refining clinical guidelines and proposing relevant policy changes. The hospital will also support early diagnosis and treatment of eye complications in diabetes patients, helping preserve vision and improve quality of life, particularly for those of working age.

Dr. Le Anh Tuan, Level II Specialist and Director of Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital, said that in southern Vietnam, the hospital is committed to training, transferring technology, and strengthening the professional capacity of healthcare staff. This will support the creation of an effective screening and early detection system for diabetic retinopathy for the large number of diabetes patients managed at lower-level facilities. As a result, patients will receive timely care and treatment while reducing the burden on specialized hospitals.

The program has laid out a clear roadmap to realize three major goals:

Goal 1: Raise awareness and improve patient access to early screening, diagnosis, treatment, and management of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema.

Goal 2: Strengthen healthcare staff capacity in diagnosing, treating, and managing these conditions, thereby enhancing the quality of care units for affected patients.

Goal 3: Develop and expand a comprehensive management model that allows patients to access early detection, timely treatment, and continuous monitoring services.

Throughout implementation, stakeholders will focus on designing, constructing, and piloting the model in participating hospitals. They will also collaborate on updating and issuing national guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diabetic retinopathy to serve as a foundation for scaling the model nationwide.

Phuong Thuy