Experts discussed this information at the Women's Healthcare Conference 2026, held on 19/4 in Ha Noi and TP HCM. The event, co-organized by the Vietnamese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (VAGO) and Abbott, focused on "Comprehensive women's health management: For generations of Vietnamese women" and attracted nearly 3,000 domestic and international healthcare professionals.

Speaking at the conference, Professor Doctor Nguyen Viet Tien, President of the Vietnamese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, stated that women's healthcare cannot follow a single model. Instead, it requires a lifespan approach and personalization for each stage.

"Women's healthcare needs to be implemented across all ages, from puberty and reproductive age to perimenopause and menopause," shared Professor Doctor Nguyen Viet Tien. He added that women face specific health issues at each stage, requiring comprehensive guidance for prevention. Early detection and timely access to specialists are crucial for improving treatment effectiveness.

Professor Doctor Nguyen Viet Tien, President of the Vietnamese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (VAGO), speaking at the conference. Photo: Le Toan.

Experts noted that many women lack comprehensive knowledge about their own health, leading to a tendency to endure symptoms, delay examinations, or seek treatment only when symptoms significantly affect their lives.

A key topic at the conference was endometriosis, a chronic, complex, and recurrent disease. Experts cited data from the World Endometriosis Society, indicating that one in 10 women aged 15–49 suffers from the condition. However, over 60% of cases remain undiagnosed, forcing many women to live with prolonged symptoms.

According to Doctor Le Quang Thanh, Vice President of the Vietnamese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a major challenge in managing endometriosis today is not only diagnosis but also continuous monitoring and treatment across different life stages.

"Endometriosis is a chronic condition requiring a long-term treatment plan tailored to each stage of a woman's life. However, in practice, many treatments are interrupted or not adequately monitored, limiting intervention effectiveness," stated Doctor Le Quang Thanh.

This year's conference in Ha Noi and TP HCM attracted nearly 3,000 domestic and international healthcare professionals. Photo: Le Toan.

The conference also introduced the National Guidelines 2026 for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, issued earlier this year. This marks a significant advancement, incorporating new scientific evidence and aligning with modern global treatment protocols. The guidelines prioritize medical treatment as the first-line option to reduce unnecessary surgical interventions.

Beyond reproductive age conditions, experts also focused on perimenopause and menopause. This critical transitional stage is often not adequately recognized in women's healthcare.

According to Doctor Premitha Damodaran, President of the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia's College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Chair of the Malaysian Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology's Committee on Menopause and Midlife Women's Health, menopause spans approximately 40% of a woman's life. Equating menopause with aging means many women are unprepared for hormonal changes that can impact mental, cardiovascular, and bone health.

Doctor Damodaran suggested that helping women understand menopause as a distinct health stage would empower them to be more proactive in preparing for and managing their own care.

Doctor Premitha Damodaran, President of the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia's College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Chair of the Committee on Menopause and Midlife Women's Health. Photo: Le Toan.

Experts emphasized that as treatment guidelines are increasingly updated based on evidence, supporting healthcare professionals' access to knowledge and clinical experience is vital for improving treatment effectiveness.

Professor Doctor Nguyen Viet Tien noted that scientific forums like the Women's Healthcare Conference 2026, co-organized by Abbott, help update knowledge, foster professional exchange, and support doctors in enhancing clinical practice, aiming for comprehensive and sustainable women's healthcare.

For many years, Abbott has collaborated with specialized associations and healthcare facilities to implement scientific and training activities, supporting the enhancement of professional capacity for medical teams.

The company partners with the World Endometriosis Society and the Vietnamese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology to implement the "International Training for Enhanced Endometriosis Awareness" (i-TEA) project. This project focuses on improving diagnostic and treatment capabilities for endometriosis and enhancing women's healthcare. Additionally, Abbott actively participates in prestigious professional conferences such as the Vietnam-France Asia Pacific Obstetrics and Gynecology Conference (VFAP), the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Conference, and scientific conferences at leading hospitals.

Abbott conducts numerous health education and communication activities. Photo: Le Toan.

Beyond professional activities, the company also collaborates on public health communication and education programs like "Proactively Healthy to Love" and reproductive health education for students. These initiatives help women access reliable scientific information and proactively manage their health.

According to a company representative, these efforts aim to maintain their role as a collaborating partner in Vietnam's healthcare sector, contributing to an improved quality of life for women.

Yen Chi