A new healthcare plan that will overhaul the old system is being constructed in Vietnam, amid concerns that the country's ailing ageing population is becoming a serious concern.
Due to the large number of elderly, ensuring social welfare and health care is an urgent need. In addition, the number of malnourished, overweight, diabetic and autistic children is on the rise.
The General Department of Population and Family Planning under the Ministry of Health is working with relevant ministries, sectors and experts to draw up a strategy.
The head of the General Department of Population and Family Planning, Nguyen Van Tan, says that ensuring the quality of life for people is becoming a "major challenge" to Vietnam.
The percentage of the population of working age, from the ages of 15 to 59, has rapidly increased and is expected to reach around 65 million in 2020.
In 2008, the gender ratio of live birth was 112 male to 100 female. If no tough measures are taken, the ratio is likely to hit 120 in 2020, badly affecting social security and causing difficulties for future generations in building families.
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