WHO Việt Nam

We are the health agency of the United Nations🇺🇳 Collaborating with the Government of 🇻🇳 to achieve #HealthForAll WR: @angepratt Retweets ≠ endorsement

[WHO Việt Nam @WHOVietnam]

Tobacco industry tactics: new products, old strategies.

For decades, the #tobacco industry has used misleading claims to downplay the dangers of its products and protect profits.

From marketing cigarettes as “light” or “mild” to promoting filters as a way to reduce harm, the industry has repeatedly tried to make harmful products appear less dangerous than they are.

Industry new products and claims of technological innovation continue to shape how tobacco and nicotine products are marketed. But new technology does not mean safer products, and tobacco-free does not mean risk-free.

All forms of tobacco and #nicotine use are harmful, and nicotine is highly addictive no matter what forms they come in or level of exposure. The industry’s commercial interests are fundamentally incompatible with public health.

Public health, for the sake of current and future generations, in Viet Nam and all countries, must come before industry profits. Policies must be guided by scientific evidence from reputable sources, protect people from misleading marketing and prevent the next generation from becoming addicted to all tobacco and nicotine products.
#TobaccoExposed

[World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific @WHOWPRO]

About 158 million people in the Western Pacific live with distance vision impairment.

Countries can respond by including eye health in national health plans and budgets, bringing vision checks into primary health care, and improving access to spectacles, cataract surgery and referral services.

This #WorldSightDay, WHO urges decision-makers to set targets to improve eye health, fund the services needed to achieve them, and track whether people receive effective care.

Explore WHO’s new regional report on eye health: https://t.co/QCHSIyJZDQ

#WorldSightDay

[World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific @WHOWPRO]

October is #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth.

Be aware of breast cancer symptoms. Early diagnosis of breast cancer generally increases the chances of successful treatment.

Here’s what you can do:
✅ Perform monthly self-breast exams
✅ See a doctor if you notice any changes

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

In 2024, 170 million children and adolescents aged 5–19 years were living with obesity, incl. 70 million children aged 5–9 years and 100 million adolescents aged 10–19 years.

Obesity prevalence in this age group has quadrupled since 1990, rising from 2% to 8%.

🆕 WHO's first global guidelines on child and adolescent obesity https://t.co/16Yl08WBmF

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

A medicine can look genuine – but may not contain what it says on the label, or work as it should.

Substandard or falsified medical products can cost you your health. Here's what you need to know.

[World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific @WHOWPRO]

Twenty countries and areas across the Western Pacific and South-East Asia are accelerating action to expand access to essential oral health care.

At the 16th Asian Chief Dental Officers Meeting in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, countries reached the midpoint of the 100-Day Sprint — refining essential oral health benefit packages, addressing implementation bottlenecks and advancing practical solutions to integrate oral health into universal health coverage.

Read the press release here: https://t.co/ddsJFRV6ME

[WHO Việt Nam @WHOVietnam]

At a time when infectious disease threats are becoming more complex, Government leaders, scientists, researchers and partners gathered yesterday at the National Scientific Conference on Infectious Diseases to share knowledge and explore solutions for the challenges ahead.

World Health Organization Representative in Viet Nam Dr Angela Pratt highlighted the importance of science, innovation and collaboration in responding to growing health threats including:
-New diseases or diseases that have returned after being under control
-Antimicrobial resistance (which makes diseases harder to prevent and treat) and
-Climate change.

Dr Pratt commended Viet Nam for building a strong foundation for health security through high vaccination coverage, extensive surveillance and laboratory networks, and high social health insurance coverage.

The conference, hosted by the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, also explored how climate change is reshaping infectious disease risks – and how new technologies, including AI, can strengthen disease preparedness and response.

Read Dr Pratt’s speech here: https://t.co/F8pftVTETd...

Photo credit: National Hospital for Tropical Diseases

[APO on health systems @AP_Observatory]

📢 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 (#𝗚𝗛𝗔) ��𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 #𝗥𝗖𝟳𝟳 (𝟴 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿)

Be part of a regional discussion on how GHA reform can better respond to the Western Pacific’s health challenges and bring Member State and partner perspectives into the ongoing reform process.

📅 𝟴 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 (𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆)
🕙 𝟭𝟬:𝟬𝟬–𝟭𝟭:𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗠 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 (𝗚𝗠𝗧+𝟴)
💻 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺
🔗 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘄: https://t.co/5F0QdbyEZ2

The World Health Assembly (#WHA) established a one-year, Member State-led Joint Process to develop options, recommendations and an implementation roadmap for GHA reform.

Ahead of the 77𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘏𝘖 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤, #APO will join this virtual side event, bringing together Member States and regional partners to discuss two questions at the heart of the regional conversation:

1️⃣ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗛𝗔 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀?

2️⃣𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹?

Together, let's shape the future of global health cooperation.

#GlobalHealth #GlobalHealthArchitecture #WesternPacific #WPRO

[World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific @WHOWPRO]

Climate change is not just an environmental issue. It's a health issue.

As leaders gather for #PreCOP31 in Fiji and Tuvalu, WHO is highlighting 5 priorities for climate and health action in the Western Pacific:

🌊 Communities on the frontlines
🩺 Health-centred climate action
👩‍💼 Women's leadership
💰 Climate & health financing
🏥 Climate-resilient health systems

The choices made today will shape the health and resilience of future generations.

#PreCOP31 #ClimateAction #COP31

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

Timely diagnosis saves lives. Take a second look 👀 at your #breasts.⁣ If you notice changes to your breasts, such as a lump, pitting of the skin or pain, go and see a health practitioner for a check-up. ⁣
⁣
Most breast lumps are not cancerous. Those that are, can be more effectively treated if identified early.

✅ Check your breasts ⁣
✅ Get screened regularly ⁣
✅ See your doctor ⁣
✅ Get your annual mammogram done

[World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific @WHOWPRO]

The world is becoming a better place – for mosquitoes. 🦟🦟🦟

If you think dengue season seems to be lasting longer, you’re right.

Rapid urbanization, mobile populations, environmental and climate change – all have increased the risk of #dengue, chikungunya, zika and other arboviruses.

Climate change is also making transmission seasons longer and making it easier for vectors that cause arboviruses to cross borders.

This puts pressure on already stretched health systems, and contributes to more frequent, longer outbreaks in more places around the world.

There is hope – advances in surveillance, diagnostics, vaccines and vector control provide new opportunities to strengthen prevention, readiness and response.

But to maximize impact requires coordinated and multisectoral efforts, resilient health systems and sustained community engagement.

So let’s talk arboviruses!

Join us for the #RC77 virtual side event on regional action to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emerging arboviruses.

📅6 October 2026
⌚10:00 – 11:30 AM Manila (GMT+8)

Register by scanning the QR code or via the link: https://t.co/FoXky6XDYR

[WHO Việt Nam @WHOVietnam]

From evidence to policies, to actions, tackling air pollution requires coordination and collaboration across sectors and communities.

Yesterday, Government agencies, scientists, researchers, development partners and international experts came together at the Second National Conference on Air pollution, with the theme this year of Combating Air Pollution and Improving Air Quality in Viet Nam: Turning Policy into Action”

Speaking at the conference, alongside UNDP Resident Representative Ramla Khalidi, WHO Representative in Viet Nam Dr Angela Pratt highlighted that Viet Nam has stronger policies, clearer targets and greater momentum than ever before. They are supported by new technologies that are creating opportunities to better identify pollution sources, improve forecasting and support targeted action.

“Progress is possible – and within a relatively short space of time,” Dr Pratt said,

With experiences and insights shared from experts from Viet Nam and other countries, as well as WHO’s Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region (ACE), Dr Pratt reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to working with the Government and partners to support bluer skies, cleaner air and a healthier Viet Nam.

The conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Health, UNDP and WHO with much appreciated support provided through the partnership between the WHO Foundation and the Prudence Foundation, and the support from the Clean Air Fund and Clean Air Asia, which contributed to making this event possible.

[WHO Việt Nam @WHOVietnam]

Ha Noi’s beautiful autumn also marks the seasonal return of air pollution.

As we enter the cooler months, poor air quality is more than an environmental issue. It is a public health and economic challenge affecting millions of people.

Viet Nam has made important commitments to improve air quality. Its National Action Plan for 2026–2030 aims for at least 80% of days each year to achieve air quality ratings in the good or moderate range under the national air quality standard. The next step is turning these commitments into concrete action that protects health, improves lives and supports a greener economy.

Here, WHO Representative Dr Angela Pratt and UNDP Resident Representative Ms Ramla Khalidi, share their perspectives on how Viet Nam can accelerate action across sectors: https://t.co/z3BdRSzFh3

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

Vaccinate dogs as it stops #rabies virus at its source and protects both animals and humans.

#WorldRabiesDay

[Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala @RD_WPRO]

Resolve to Save Lives. The name says it all.

I was pleased to meet @DrFrieden of @ResolveTSL on the sidelines of #UNGA81.

Our shared commitment is simple: turn evidence and partnership into life-saving action.

RTSL’s support is helping us strengthen hypertension control across the Western Pacific.

It's critical work. One in five deaths in our Region are linked to high blood pressure.

Over the past year, they supported training for hypertension programme managers, strengthening the leadership and implementation capacity needed to scale @WHO HEARTS.

Next month, we will present a Regional Action Plan to Accelerate Hypertension Control to our Western Pacific Member States at #RCM77.

Political commitment is essential. But non-profits can play a powerful catalytic role.

Partnership matters most when it has clear deliverables, country ownership and a path to implementation.

That's my message at #UNGA. And it's how we turn coordinated action into #HealthForAll.

[World Health Organization (WHO) @WHO]

It's #WorldRabiesDay

Every nine minutes a person dies from #rabies, although it is 100% preventable.
Protect yourself & your furry friends 🐶 by getting your dog vaccinated annually. Ensure people who are bitten also get access to life saving vaccines!
Learn more 🐾 https://t.co/sYeucLHabG

[WHO Việt Nam @WHOVietnam]

🐶❤️ Meet Phung Thi Phuong and Na.

When Ms Phuong's family welcomed Na home as a puppy, they made a commitment to look after her properly. That meant regular care, recommended vaccinations ( including for rabies) and keeping Na safe and healthy, just like any other member of the family.

"She is not really a pet to us anymore. She is a family member," says Ms Phuong.

This World Rabies Day, Na's story is a reminder that responsible dog ownership is one of the best ways to protect the people and animals we love. After all, when our dogs are family, keeping them vaccinated is just part of caring for them. 🐾💙

Read more about Phuong and Na's story here: https://t.co/PXLG1GSoao

#WorldRabiesDay #StrongerTogether

[WHO Việt Nam @WHOVietnam]

A dog bite could have ended in tragedy, but quick action made all the difference.

When university student Hung was bitten by a dog, he immediately washed the wound and sought rabies treatment.

This World Rabies Day, remember: If you are bitten, scratched - or licked on broken skin - by a dog or cat, don't wait. Prompt treatment saves lives. 🐶💙

Read Hung's story here: https://t.co/DnDfxTfW6r...

#WorldRabiesDay2026 #StrongerTogether #ChungTayDayLuiBenhDai #OneHealth #WHOVietNam

[World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific @WHOWPRO]

Why is it important to register a birth? A family member's death?

These numbers are the vital statistics that make up a nation.

Many countries in the Western Pacific are not on track to meet civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) targets by 2030. But these statistics matter more than you think – and enable responsive governance, public health planning, tracking progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and more.

How can Member States accelerate CRVS improvements through the health sector?

Tune into the #RCM77 virtual side event and learn more:
📅29 September
⌚10:00-11:30 Manila (GMT+8)
Register via the QR code or the link in comments.

#DataInHealth
#SDGs

[World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific @WHOWPRO]

Contaminated chicken c🍗? What happens when food safety incidents happen in more than one country?

In a show of regional solidarity, countries and areas across the WHO Western Pacific Region concluded IHR Exercise Crystal, an annual simulation exercise that tests how they communicate about public health emergencies under the International Health Regulations #IHR (2005).

IHR Exercise Crystal has been conducted annually in the Region since 2008, using various scenarios to give Member States a safe space to practise the notification, verification and coordination steps they would need to take during an actual public health emergency - testing systems, plans and relationships before, rather than during, a crisis.