Bayer Vietnam and the Vietnam Association of Gerontology and Geriatric Forge Strategic Partnership to Elevate Geriatric Healthcare, contributing to nationwide disease-prevention efforts.

HANOI, VIETNAM – January 29, 2026 – Bayer Vietnam and the Vietnam Association of Geriatric (VAGG) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership for the 2026–2030 period. The signing ceremony, held at the National Geriatric Hospital, was witnessed by representatives from the Department of Medical Service Administration under the Ministry of Health, signaling strong governmental support for this initiative. This event marks a significant milestone in collaborative efforts to tackle the pressing healthcare challenges amid Vietnam’s swift aging population.

Representatives from Bayer Vietnam, the Vietnam Association of Geriatrics (VAGG), and key healthcare stakeholders gather following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance healthy ageing and improve care for Vietnam’s growing elderly population.

The urgency of this initiative is underscored by Vietnam’s rapid demographic shift; the population aged 65 and over is projected to triple by 2050, reaching 21% of the total population. This transition has already intensified the elderly dependency burden, prompting a strategic response through Resolution 72-NQ/TW. This mandates every province and centrally run city to establish specialized geriatric hospitals or departments while prioritizing the development of elderly care facilities and integrated rehabilitation systems. With a national target to raise healthy life expectancy to 68 years by 2030, these policies address an immediate and escalating demand for high-quality, long-term healthcare infrastructure and specialized medical services.

Representative of the Department of Medical Service Administration (DMSA), Ministry of Health, shared: "Vietnam currently ranks 10th globally and 3rd within the ASEAN region for the fastest rate of population aging. To address this, DMSA is prioritizing a specialized geriatric healthcare network reaching from central hospitals to local communes to fulfill the Government’s strategic healthcare mandates. We highly value this partnership and its potential to enhance the expertise of our geriatric medical workforce. We are committed to supporting this initiative to ensure sustainable impact, ultimately improving the quality of care and life for Vietnam’s elderly."

The strategic alliance between Bayer and VAGG for 2026–2030 seeks to bridge existing gaps in the Vietnamese healthcare sector, particularly in the management of cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic (CVRM) diseases, as well as degenerative eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration. This includes continuously updating medical staff knowledge, enhancing health literacy among patients and the community, and filling critical voids in local clinical data. By focusing on these areas, the partnership intends to elevate the quality of prevention and management for age-related pathologies that currently hold significant potential for improvement.

"At Bayer, we believe that 'healthy aging' is not just about longevity but about maintaining quality of life and independence in later years," said James Alexander, Country Head of Pharmaceuticals Division at Bayer Vietnam. "By focusing our strategy on critical areas like cardiovascular health and vision care, we are committed to supporting the medical community with necessary tools and resources to manage chronic conditions more effectively, ensuring that Vietnam's seniors can enjoy their golden years in good health."

James Alexander (second from the left), Head of the Pharmaceuticals Division at Bayer Vietnam, joins representatives of the Vietnam Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics in discussing collaboration priorities to enhance healthcare quality for Vietnam’s ageing population.

PGS.TS. Trần Viết Lực, Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Gerontology and Geriatric (VAGG), added: "As the leading authority in Geriatric in Vietnam, VAGG brings an extensive network of experts and deep clinical experience to elderly care. Through this strategic partnership with Bayer, we will focus on two core missions: strengthening specialized capacity for healthcare professionals, especially at the provincial level, and empowering the community to proactively manage chronic diseases. This collaboration is a vital step toward achieving national goals for universal healthcare."

To achieve these objectives, both parties have outlined a comprehensive roadmap built upon several strategic pillars. A primary focus is placed on enhancing the professional expertise of healthcare providers through continuous medical education (CME) programs and scientific conferences, particularly at the provincial level, covering critical topics such as hypertension, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, and ophthalmology. Furthermore, the partnership will facilitate the collaborative development and updating of clinical practice guidelines while driving clinical research initiatives aimed at international publication. This cooperation also emphasizes global knowledge exchange with leading geriatric experts and the creation of comprehensive public education materials, empowering the community with the essential knowledge required for the effective prevention and management of age-related diseases.