Participating delegates join a 10,000-steps walking programme at the event (Photo: VNA)

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Speaking at the launching ceremony of the event, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said the celebration of the day responses to the Vietnam Health Programme, which focuses on primary health care, and encourages people’s proactive engagement in concerted efforts to boost Vietnamese’s well-being.

She urged locals to take practical moves for their own health via walking 10,000 steps per day, updating health knowledge, and joining early screening for non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer, and hypertension.

Kidong Park, the World Health Organisation Representative in Vietnam, said the World Health Day this year promotes universal health coverage, aiming to ensure all people and communities have access to quality health services without suffering financial hardship.

As part of the ceremony, 5,000 youths, including young doctors, participated in a mass dance and a 3-minute physical training exercise, and ten outstanding young doctors were honoured for their contributions to protecting and improving public health care.

After the ceremony, participating delegates took to the street joining a 10,000-steps walking programme.

Also in response to the day, check-ups and testing for various non-communicable diseases by doctors from the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital, National Lung Hospital, Vietnam hospital of cardiology, and the National Hospital of Endocrinology, took place at the site, drawing the participation of over 1,000 residents.