According to the Vietnam Dialysis Association, around 10 million people nationwide are struggling with chronic kidney diseases. Every year, nearly 8,000 new chronic kidney cases are detected in Vietnam.
More young people in Vietnam suffer kidney failure: Photo by Van Son
Some 800,000 patients currently require dialysis, accounting for 0.1 percent of the country’s population. The mortality rate due to chronic kidney problems stands eighth among the top 10 leading causes of death nationwide.
Ten years ago, most kidney failure patients in HCM City were the elderly, but now, more young people have struggled with the disease.
Since early this year, the Hemodialysis Department at Cho Ray Hospital, has received 450 regular dialysis patients, including nearly 60 aged below 35.
The same situation has been reported at Binh Dan and Thong Nhat hospitals with one third of patients aged below 40 being treated for kidney failure. Most of them are in severe condition.
Dr. Nguyen Bach, head of the Hemodialysis Department of Thong Nhat Hospital, admitted the rise in young chronic kidney failure cases. Some of the causes leading to kidney failure include diabetes, high blood pressure, gout, the use of painkillers, traditional herbal remedies and improper dietary supplements.
Bach also warned self-medication and trust in non-scientific medical treatments were leading many people to develop kidney failure.