Transformation of elderly health care - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television Station

Staff of Thai Binh Commune Health Station, Dinh Lap District, check the health of the elderly

Currently, the whole province has over 100,000 elderly people (an increase of 6% compared to 2021), accounting for 12.47% of the population. The increase in the number of elderly people not only places higher demands on the health and social welfare systems, but also requires all levels and sectors to increase investment in health care, life support, and promote the role of the elderly in the community.

Faced with this reality, the Party Committees and authorities at all levels in the province have had many practical solutions to effectively implement Decision 1579. Medical examination and treatment for the elderly have had many positive changes, with increasingly systematic investment in facilities, human resources and specialized care models. To date, the province has 2 hospitals with geriatric departments and 2 examination departments with separate examination rooms or priority areas for receiving and examining the elderly. The number of priority inpatient beds for the elderly has increased from 99 beds in 2021 to 88 beds (as of April 2025).

Dr. Trieu Quang Phu, Director of the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital, shared: The elderly are in need of special medical care because they often suffer from chronic diseases and multiple pathologies. We have developed a priority examination process, trained a team of specialized human resources, and promoted nutritional, psychological, and rehabilitation counseling activities to provide comprehensive care for the elderly. The hospital currently has a Geriatrics Department that treats more than 1,000 patients each year.

Not only investing in infrastructure, medical examination and treatment for the elderly has been implemented synchronously, with coordination between hospitals, district health centers and commune health stations. The application of scientific and technological advances in disease prevention, medical examination and treatment and rehabilitation for the elderly has been promoted, with an average of 16 to 25 specialized techniques applied annually at medical facilities across the province.

Ms. Hoang Thi Lan, 72 years old, Thai Binh commune, Dinh Lap district said: I have high blood pressure and knee arthritis. Every month when I go to the health station for a health check-up, I not only get examined and given medicine but also get advice on how to eat and exercise properly. Thanks to that, my blood pressure is stable and my health is better.

Along with that, the province has effectively implemented community health care models for the elderly, focusing on club activities, volunteers and home care support. As of April 2025, the province has established and maintained 111 elderly health care clubs at the commune level. The clubs operate effectively and have specialized health care content for the elderly, with over 3,800 elderly people participating in regular activities.

In addition, the province currently has 48 intergenerational self-help clubs with nearly 2,500 members. These clubs operate with many practical contents such as sharing medical knowledge, providing mental care, organizing arts and sports, providing financial support and connecting the community, contributing to building a friendly environment for the elderly.

Mr. Nong Ngoc Tang, Chairman of the Provincial Elderly Association, affirmed: Currently, the elderly are receiving more and more attention to better health care. We have directed associations at all levels to strengthen coordination in health care for the elderly and in the past 5 years, grassroots associations of the elderly have closely coordinated with commune-level health stations to provide health examinations, consultations and free medicine for nearly 200,000 elderly people; 100% of the elderly enjoy full benefits and policies according to regulations.

With specific and practical solutions, the health care work for the elderly has had many positive changes. To date, the whole province has over 84,000 elderly people with health insurance cards (an increase of more than 10,000 people compared to 2021); nearly 60,000 elderly people have health records (an increase of more than 20,000 people compared to 2021); nearly 70,000 elderly people have received periodic health check-ups (an increase of more than 20,000 people compared to 2021).

With the synchronous participation of all levels and sectors, the health care work for the elderly in Lang Son is gradually being specialized, communalized and sustainable, contributing to improving the quality of life of the elderly in the context of increasingly obvious population aging.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/chuyen-bien-trong-cham-soc-suc-khoe-nguoi-cao-tuoi-5046163.html