Vietnam ranks among the countries with high rates of hearing loss, with 1,200 to 1,400 children born with hearing impairments each year, according to the Department of Medical Services Administration under the Ministry of Health.
The department shared this information during a workshop in Hanoi on December 25, aimed at gathering feedback on guidelines for assisting hearing-impaired individuals in medical facilities.
The event was part of a cooperative program between the National Action Center for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET) under the Ministry of National Defense and the Department of Medical Services Administration. The initiative seeks to enhance the implementation of the Inclusion project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The guidelines aim to equip healthcare facilities and medical staff with the necessary tools to effectively receive, communicate with, and treat patients with hearing impairments. The materials will also serve as a reference for hearing-impaired individuals during their visits to healthcare centers.
According to the 2016 National Survey on People with Disabilities by the General Statistics Office, approximately 2.5 million people in Vietnam experience hearing and speech disabilities. Hearing loss affects about 30% to 40% of individuals aged 65 to 75, and 40% to 50% of those over 75.
However, only seven out of 100 hearing-impaired individuals surveyed had full access to medical services. Most face difficulties due to a shortage of sign language interpreters at healthcare facilities. (Suc Khoe Doi Song, Health Ministry)