Vietnam’s cancer cure rates for some types are on par with advanced countries, said Deputy Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan at a conference on multidisciplinary cancer treatment and hospital management in the digital era.
At the event hosted by National Cancer Hospital (K Hospital) and the Vietnam Cancer Society on October 31, Mr. Thuan pointed out that despite this progress, cancer treatment costs in Vietnam remain high, with cancer medication expenses covered by health insurance surpassing VND7.5 trillion ($312.5 million) in 2023.
K Hospital Deputy Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Van Binh added that limited screening access and the high costs of new treatment methods further hinder local patients’ ability to access care.
According to GLOBOCAN data, Vietnam recorded 180,480 new cancer cases and 120,184 deaths in 2022, ranking 101 out of 185 countries and territories for cancer incidence. (QDND, Dan Tri, Dang Cong San, Nhan Dan)