Students participate in interactive games as part of a sex education and communication program organized by the Department of Health.

According to the Hue City Department of Health , the proportion of elderly people is increasing steadily every year, while low birth rates and gender imbalance at birth create a double pressure on the healthcare system and society. Deputy Director of the Department of Health, Ms. Phan Minh Nguyet, stated: “The rapid aging of the population requires a change in management thinking, investing in long-term healthcare and disease prevention for the elderly, instead of just focusing on treatment.”

Currently, Hue City has implemented several programs to care for the health of the elderly, such as training courses, health promotion conferences, and maintaining a public health network to support residents, especially in suburban areas and areas with elderly people living alone. However, due to limited socio -economic conditions, many elderly people do not have full access to specialized medical services. The prevalent nuclear family model also means that many elderly people lack regular care from their children and grandchildren.

Faced with the reality of an aging population, Hue City has identified population management as a crucial task requiring the coordinated efforts of Party committees, government agencies, mass organizations, and the entire society. A series of solutions are being implemented to improve the quality of the population from the grassroots level. Notably, the city is intensifying its efforts to raise awareness in the community, especially among young couples, about having two children, avoiding sex selection of fetuses, and eliminating the patriarchal mindset. Simultaneously, inspections and monitoring of medical facilities regarding fetal sex determination are being strengthened to address violations and ensure gender balance at birth.

The healthcare system has been upgraded with modern equipment for prenatal and neonatal screening, elderly health check-ups, and pre-marital counseling. Training of population officials is also emphasized to meet the increasingly high demands of the new era. Ms. Phan Minh Nguyet stressed: “We will closely coordinate with the education sector to integrate content on gender, reproductive health, and population into the curriculum from primary to university level, while also promoting the role of religious organizations, village elders, and community leaders in disseminating information in ethnic minority areas.”

Population aging is an inevitable trend, but with thorough preparation and a sound strategy, Hue City can completely transform this challenge into a driving force for development. Building a healthy aging community with a good quality of life is not only the responsibility of the health sector, but also requires the joint efforts of the entire political system and the people.

Text and photos: Bach Chau

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-polit-xa-hoi/tp-hue-truoc-thach-thuc-gia-hoa-dan-so-155540.html