On 20/12, the Thanh Hoa Department of Health and Servier Vietnam Company Limited organized a consensus conference and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), launching the "Control Rate - As One" project. This initiative aims to improve the control rate of hypertension and diabetes in the province.

Representatives from the Thanh Hoa Department of Health and Servier Vietnam Company Limited (left) signed a memorandum of understanding to implement the Control Rate - As One project. *Photo: Servier Vietnam*.

Dr. Le Van Cuong, Director of the Thanh Hoa Department of Health, emphasized the significance of the MoU in his opening remarks. He stated, "The signing of this memorandum of understanding today initiates the project from 2026, establishing a foundation for units to prepare for implementation. It creates unity in approach, objectives, implementation methods, and coordination mechanisms, while also defining the responsibilities and roles of each party throughout the process. This reflects our shared determination to improve the management and treatment of hypertension and diabetes in Thanh Hoa."

Dr. Le Van Cuong, Director of the Thanh Hoa Department of Health, delivered the opening speech at the conference. *Photo: Servier Vietnam*.

The Control Rate - As One project sets specific goals: to increase the percentage of treated hypertension patients achieving blood pressure

• Enhancing disease management capacity and effectiveness.
• Improving the professional and counseling skills of treating doctors and nurses at healthcare facilities.
• Applying medical technology to patient education.
• Communicating health education to patients and raising community awareness.
• Improving treatment quality.
• Developing criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the comprehensive As One disease management solution package.

The comprehensive As One disease management solution package is built upon four pillars:

• **High-quality treatment drugs**: New recommendations from the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) advocate for early combination therapy, especially fixed-dose combinations. This simplifies treatment regimens, improves adherence, and enhances disease control. A stable list of chronic treatment drugs at healthcare facilities is a key factor.
• **Health communication - education**: Through the "First Day" ecosystem and online platforms, the program raises community awareness about cardiovascular disease. It encourages people to proactively seek health check-ups, adhere to treatment, and participate in chronic patient clubs.
• **Digital application**: The Elfie application is integrated into the examination and treatment process. It supports treatment reminders, monitors health indicators, and strengthens the connection between patients and healthcare staff.
• **Multi-sectoral cooperation**: Collaboration among doctors, pharmacists, nurses, managers, and patients helps standardize treatment processes at the grassroots level, aiming for comprehensive control of blood pressure, blood sugar, lipids, and heart rate.

Ms. Ngo Thi Phuong Thao, Master of Pharmacy, Medical Director and Patient Support Projects at Servier Vietnam, shared at the event that Servier is committed to partnering with the Thanh Hoa Department of Health in implementing the Control Rate - As One project. "We believe that, with the combination of advanced treatment solutions, digital technology, and health communication, the project will contribute to improving the effectiveness of chronic disease control in Vietnam", Ms. Ngo Thi Phuong Thao said. "This is part of Servier's goal: serving patients and for a healthier world."

Ms. Ngo Thi Phuong Thao, Master of Pharmacy, Medical Director and Patient Support Projects. *Photo: Servier Vietnam*.

During the conference, leaders from participating hospitals provided consultations and contributed ideas to refine the implementation model.

The conference concluded with a consensus statement and the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Thanh Hoa Department of Health and Servier Vietnam. A commemorative photo of the delegates underscored their commitment to implementing the project to improve the control rate of hypertension and diabetes in the province in 2026.

Hospital leaders participated in discussions during the conference. *Photo: Servier Vietnam*.

Previously, on 25/11, the Ninh Binh Department of Health also signed an MoU with Servier Vietnam, making Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa the first two localities to pilot the Control Rate - As One project. This step aims to apply the comprehensive As One chronic disease management initiative, improving blood pressure and blood sugar control for patients at the grassroots level.

The Dan