What's Happening?
The Health Strategy and Policy Institute in Vietnam, in collaboration with Opella Vietnam, has released a study on the country's readiness for self-care, using the Global Self-Care Federation’s Self-Care Readiness Index. Conducted from June to December
2025, the study assessed Vietnam's performance across four key factors: Stakeholder Support and Adoption, Consumer and Patient Empowerment, Self-Care Health Policy, and Regulatory Environment. Vietnam scored 3.04 out of 4, ranking fourth globally behind Singapore, Australia, and Germany. The study involved qualitative and quantitative research, including interviews and focus group discussions with healthcare providers and consumers. The findings indicate Vietnam's strong capacity in community-based health communication and education, although areas like access to personal health data and digital tools for self-care need improvement.
Why It's Important?
The shift towards self-care in Vietnam is significant as it aligns with global trends of empowering individuals to manage their health, potentially reducing the burden on healthcare systems. This approach can save the global healthcare system nearly $120 billion annually and free up significant time for healthcare professionals. For Vietnam, this shift is crucial as the country faces a double burden of controlling infectious diseases and managing a rise in non-communicable diseases. The study's findings provide a foundation for developing practical models and national strategies for self-care, which could lead to more efficient and accessible healthcare services.
What's Next?
Vietnam is expected to continue developing its self-care framework, focusing on enhancing public awareness and healthcare workers' counselling capacity. The country plans to expand communication on self-care, accelerate the rollout of electronic health records, and promote digital platforms for accessing medical information. These efforts aim to establish a national self-care strategy, supported by recent legislative measures like the Law on Disease Prevention and the National Target Programme on Healthcare, Population and Development for 2026-2035. Continued support from international and domestic partners will be crucial in scaling up actions to prevent and control non-communicable diseases.
Beyond the Headlines
The move towards self-care in Vietnam reflects a broader cultural shift towards proactive health management. This transition is part of a global movement emphasizing individual responsibility in health, supported by digital tools and over-the-counter products. The initiative also highlights the importance of integrating technology in healthcare, as seen in the push for electronic health records and digital platforms. These developments could lead to long-term changes in how healthcare is delivered and accessed, promoting a more sustainable and patient-centered approach.
