The facility, launched in Long Bien Ward on June 6, is the first model of its kind in Hanoi and aims to provide community-based healthcare services for elderly residents.
The daytime healthcare centre for older people in Long Bien Ward, Hanoi, officially opens on June 6 (Photo: Department of Health).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyen Manh Ha, secretary of the Long Bien Ward Party Committee, said the ward is home to more than 8,700 elderly residents, accounting for about 13 per cent of its population. Nearly 6,000 of them are living with chronic illnesses that require regular monitoring and healthcare management.
According to Ha, rapid urbanisation and changing family structures have increased the need for care, support and social connections among older people.
“Developing a community-based healthcare model is not only a practical necessity but also a solution to improve the quality of life of elderly residents,” he said.
Unlike nursing homes or inpatient treatment facilities, the centre operates on a daytime basis, allowing participants to attend during the day and return home in the evening. It does not provide overnight accommodation or replace hospital treatment services.
Older people attending the centre will receive personalised health records and monitoring for chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. They will also have access to nutritional counselling, rehabilitation support, mental health care and community engagement activities.
In addition to healthcare services, the facility includes communal spaces, exercise areas, health consultation rooms and cultural activities tailored to the needs of older residents.
Experts say Vietnam is entering one of the fastest population-ageing phases in the region.
In Hanoi, the number of elderly residents has increased steadily in recent years, placing growing pressure on healthcare and social welfare systems.
At the same time, traditional multi-generational households are becoming less common. More elderly people now live alone or only with an ageing spouse, creating greater demand for community-based healthcare and support services.
The model is designed to help adapt to population ageing (Photo: Department of Health).
To ensure professional standards, Long Bien Ward has worked with the Hanoi Department of Health and Duc Giang General Hospital to develop operating procedures, train staff, provide remote consultations and establish emergency referral systems when necessary.
Healthcare activities will be supervised by medical professionals to ensure early detection of health issues and continuous monitoring of elderly patients with chronic diseases.
Vu Thu Ha, vice chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, praised the initiative at the launch event.
She said that as population ageing accelerates, comprehensive healthcare models for older people not only strengthen social welfare but also reflect the city's commitment to humanitarian values.
The city leadership noted that the programme remains a pilot project and should be closely evaluated after a period of operation.
“After the model has been implemented for a period of time, the city will work with local authorities to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment, providing a basis for further improvements and possible expansion across Hanoi,” Vu Thu Ha said.
