Strengthened grassroots health care brings NCD services to 10 million in Viet Nam

Viet Nam is saving lives and reducing disability by expanding effective, community-based management of hypertension and diabetes. WHO is working with the Government at all levels, with support from Resolve to Save Lives, to implement a hypertension control model that now screens about 10 million people each year and treats more than 2 million. This work improves equity and ensures people receive continuous, high-quality care closer to home.

Gentle morning sunshine covers the courtyard of Binh Quoi Commune Health Station in Ho Chi Minh City. Patients chat easily as a mother tends to her child in the waiting area. This familiar, welcoming scene is repeated across thousands of health stations now providing screening and treatment for hypertension and diabetes.

Among them is Ms Hua Thi Thien, who lives with both conditions.

“I think the doctors here are very good – they examine patients thoroughly and show real care. So, I feel very reassured,” she said with a smile.

Ms Thien once relied on distant hospitals and family members for transport. Now she cycles to her local health station, where her medication has been better adjusted, side effects reduced and her health improved. Her weight has dropped and daily activities are easier.

Ms Hua Thi Thien says staff at the commune health station like Dr Than Thi Kim Loi, left, are “dedicated, attentive and explain things clearly. I can see the difference. So, I really trust them.” Photo: WHO Viet Nam / Loan Tran.

Her experience reflects a much larger transformation. Under a major Ministry of Health initiative supported by WHO and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), about 10 million people are screened for hypertension and diabetes each year, and more than 2 million have begun treatment. Blood pressure control among enrolled patients has risen from 53% in 2022 to 72% in 2025.

Expanding access is vital, as an estimated 18 million people in Viet Nam live with high blood pressure, many undiagnosed and untreated. When left unmanaged, hypertension greatly increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and early death, placing heavy pressure on individuals, families and the health system. Hypertension and diabetes, together with other noncommunicable diseases, account for 80% of all deaths in Viet Nam – nearly half a million each year.

During a visit in 2026, health station staff showed WHO and RTSL representatives how the online NCD reporting system helps keep patients up to date with their care. Photo: WHO Viet Nam / Loan Tran.

The model aligns with Politburo Resolution 72, which provides a clear vision for building a people-centered health-care system that advances UHC, ensuring everyone’s access to affordable comprehensive health-care services, with a focus on preventing disease.

Hypertension is also a priority for WHO’s Western Pacific Region, and a theme at the seventy-seventh session of the Regional Committee in October 2026.

In Viet Nam, up to 80% of diagnosed hypertension and diabetes cases are mild or moderate, allowing them to be effectively managed at commune health stations.

Care is quicker and more streamlined at the commune health station, with little waiting time, Ngo Xuan Thien told WHO. Photo: WHO Viet Nam / Loan Tran.

Since 2016, the Ministry of Health and WHO have worked together with provincial departments of health, public health institutes and commune health stations to implement a model for hypertension and diabetes management. Since 2019, WHO in collaboration with partners, has worked with national and provincial authorities to improve hypertension control, gradually expanding across the provinces. WHO support has helped increase screening and early diagnosis, strengthened treatment at the commune level and improved data systems.

This has been achieved through a two-way referral system where patients needing higher levels of care are sent to hospital and referred back when their conditions are stable. Other elements are simplified treatment protocols; ongoing technical support, capacity building and oversight; and a new online NCD reporting system.

Dr Than Thi Kim Loi has seen the changes first-hand at Binh Quoi Commune Health Station, where she is a general practitioner. Health workers once struggled to manage common NCDs because they lacked the basics - skills, equipment and medicines.

“Previously, patients had little trust and rarely came. Once medicines, equipment, blood tests, blood pressure monitoring and patient counseling became available, the number of patients visiting the station increased significantly.”

Doctors and nurses were also trained in NCD care and treatment guidelines to improve the quality of care.

Patient counseling and follow-up have also helped provide ongoing care, said Dr Loi.

The online reporting system shows if patients miss their appointments, allowing the commune health station to remind them with a phone call or Zalo app message or to ask a community outreach team to encourage them to return. The teams are often made up of local residents from youth unions, community organizations or the Red Cross, who know their community.

Today, the health station is better equipped to play its part in the health system, said Dr Loi.

“Commune health stations are the gatekeepers. Mild and moderate cases, including people whose conditions are stable are referred back from hospitals and managed here, while hospitals treat severe cases. The system operates much more efficiently.”

Dr Than Thi Kim Loi talks to Mr Ly Van Sang, who says the commune health station feels almost like home. Photo: Loan Tran / WHO Viet Nam

Nearby, Mr Ly Van Sang, said strong bonds with health station staff made the difference for him as a patient.

“Coming here feels almost like visiting home, rather than going to a hospital. It’s very comfortable and familiar—no pressure at all. I think it’s wonderful.”

Mr Ngo Xuan Thien used to skip regular visits due to work and long waiting times at hospitals. He now sticks to his treatment more closely, with benefits for his health.

From 2018 to 2025, the model expanded to 5 000 commune health stations across 52 of 63 former provinces. Each month, around 420 000 patients are now managed at the primary care level – reducing hospital overcrowding and making care more accessible.

Now, the Ministry of Health is adapting the model and proof of concept to create an expanded model for NCD management across Viet Nam. This will be funded by the Government’s National Target Programme on Healthcare, Population and Development 2026-2035. The National Target Programme strengthens grassroots health care, promotes disease prevention and prioritizes vulnerable populations. This programme is key to building an equitable and resilient health system.

WHO Representative in Viet Nam Dr Angela Pratt commended the Government for the programme’s impressive reach and impact.

“Viet Nam’s hypertension and diabetes programme shows what is possible when primary health care is strengthened. Working with the Ministry of Health, local departments of health and partners, WHO is very proud to support this model and its enormous achievements for so many.

“Behind the remarkable numbers, the impact is real: when Ms Thien can cycle to her local commune health station or Mr Sang can speak easily with his doctor, instead of having to go to a hospital, we see how quality primary health care protects communities and gives people peace of mind.”

Mr Ly Van Sang says he actively seeks information from communication materials so he can stay in the best health as long as possible. Credit: WHO Viet Nam / Loan Tran

WHO is committed to continuing to support the Government’s roll out of its expanded model with the aim to scale nationwide and reach over 20 million people living with hypertension and diabetes, while gradually expanding to also cover other NCDs. It will be important to clearly define which services belong at commune health stations and which should be delivered in hospitals; ensure commune health stations are able to diagnose and treat mild and moderate cases; strengthen policies and guidelines; increase investment and incentives for health workers; and maintain continuous training and coaching.

Dr Pratt said, “The Government can of course continue to rely on the support of WHO as it implements its model, and continues to expand and strengthen the quality of the services provided. Support from donors will be critical to complement funding from the National Target Programme on Health Care, Population and Development (2026–2035), as commune health stations are strengthened over time in line with Resolution 72.

"Hypertension and diabetes management can be pathfinders, showing how other NCDs and health conditions can be successfully managed at grassroots level. These include conditions such as depression, HIV/AIDS, chronic obstructive respiratory disease and asthma.

“High functioning commune health stations are an essential part of a health system that focuses on disease prevention and early intervention to help everyone, everywhere in Viet Nam lead a long and healthy life.”