50 years after the end of the Vietnam War, the country is looking to the future, but there are still many obstacles to overcome.
The number of people in Vietnam today who were injured during these armed conflicts is very high. Large tracts of land still bear the scars of the fighting, and restoring the environment is a huge challenge for the country.
Fifteen per cent of the population currently lives with a disability. The consequences of past conflicts are compounded by other causes of disability: the number of road accidents is on the increase, as are the number of occupational accidents in factories or on building sites throughout the country; in addition, many people suffer from congenital malformations.
Thanks to the support of the State and the efforts of the health sector, Vietnam has made progress, particularly in reducing infant mortality and occupational mortality. The country is now focusing on the health of disadvantaged populations, the prevention of disability and the socio-economic inclusion of people with disabilities.
Number of HI staff members: 9
Date the programme opened: 1989
