The Lien Chieu District-based Medical Centre is enhancing its services by offering nutrition consultations to support patients in treating diseases, particularly non-communicable conditions, aiming to improve health protection in a sustainable and proactive way.

Healthcare staff at the Lien Chieu District Medical Centre providing nutritional consultations for patients after their clinical examination. Photo: PHAN CHUNG.

Every month, Mr. Hoang Van Nam, living in Hoa Hiep Nam Ward, visits the Lien Chieu Medical Centre for diabetes check-ups and medication. Having lived with type 2 diabetes for five years, he follows a prescribed treatment plan and seeks dietary advice to manage his health more effectively.

“I receive dietary and lifestyle guidance from nutrition specialists in addition to my regular treatment, which helps reduce dependency on medication,” Mr. Nam shared. The centre's nutrition experts ensure that patients understand the causes and risks of their conditions and provide personalised dietary advice, such as balanced portions, eating slowly, and including essential nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fibres, while avoiding overcooking.

According to MSc Vo Pham Mi Trang, Head of the Department of Public Health, Nutrition, and Food Safety, the centre’s Nutrition Clinic for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases helps patients realise the importance of diet in managing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and heart failure. Good nutrition strengthens the body’s defences and regulates metabolic disorders, reducing disease symptoms.

"An imbalance in nutrition is harmful to patients. Malnutrition weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of complications for hospitalised patients, prolonging hospital stays, and raising treatment costs. On the other hand, overnutrition contributes to the risk of chronic diseases, such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. For patients already facing health issues, improper eating habits can exacerbate their condition," Dr Trang explained.

In response to this, patients receiving treatment for chronic non-communicable diseases are guided on an appropriate nutrition programme alongside their medication to achieve treatment goals. Based on each patient's condition, doctors create a detailed diet plan that balances the intake of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, tailored to individualised care. Through software and applications, healthcare workers monitor and provide daily advice, answering any patient queries when needed. For elderly patients, healthcare workers prepare simple, concise instructions to ensure easy understanding and application.

According to Dr. Nguyen Dai Vinh, Director of Lien Chieu District Medical Centre, proper and adequate nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining good health and preventing diseases, particularly non-communicable metabolic diseases. Alongside pharmaceutical treatments and other interventions, patients need to boost their disease prevention capabilities by improving their health and immunity. Recently, imbalanced diets, leading to overweight and obesity, have contributed to an increase in certain chronic non-communicable diseases. These conditions are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, strokes, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health issues, including stress and poor self-esteem.

“In our public health efforts, the centre has also intensified outreach to high-risk groups in the community to raise awareness about the role of nutrition in maintaining good health. By encouraging lifestyle and dietary changes, we aim to help people improve their physical well-being, enhance immunity, and reduce the prevalence of dangerous non-communicable diseases. Preventive nutrition measures aim to build a healthy community, lessen the burden on the healthcare system, and mitigate the adverse effects and complications caused by illnesses,” Dr. Vinh said.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG - Translating by TRUC VY