VietNamNet Bridge – The number of Vietnamese people suffering from asthma is still on the rise, Central Lung Hospital Director Nguyen Viet Nhung has said.

A patient receives asthma treatment in Lung Hospital. — VNA/VNS Photo

Most of the deaths have been traced to lack of awareness about the disease, resulting in patients not receiving preventive treatment and proper emergency aid, Nhung said.

Latest research reveals that nearly four million people suffer from the asthma disease, accounting for 3.9 per cent of the total population, claiming about 3,000 to 4,000 lives each year.

Asthma patients can have a normal live if they are provided proper and regular treatment, the research showed.

However, some patients and medical staff have yet to recognise the importance of preventive treatment. Currently, five to ten per cent of the asthma patients have been capable of completely controlling the condition and managing it well.

Treatment of the disease costs thousands of billions of dong each year.

Asthma has serious repercussions for patients, their families, and society. The fatality rate is still high despite advances in its management, Nhung said.

The disease's causes vary from environmental pollution and industrial waste to virus infection, using medicine without doctor's prescription as well as stress in daily life.

The healthcare sector should try to improve the quality of treatment, control and prevention as well as act to raise public awareness about preventive measures, Nhung added.

VNS