Experts at the conference Regional meeting on scaling up package of essential noncommunicable diseases (PEN) interventions at the primary health care level in the South-East Asia Region, organized in Dhaka from 23rd to 25th of October by the World Health Organization, discussed strategies for strengthening services for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) at the primary health care level. NCDs, specifically heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung diseases, account for almost 70 percent of all global deaths.
Professor Abdul Kalam Azad, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Bangladesh, attended the event, together with other officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and health experts from public and private institutions. Over 70 government health officials, representatives of medical schools and clinical experts from the 11 countries in WHO south-East Asia Region, deliberated and shared best practices and lessons for strengthening essential NCD services.
“NCDs continue to be a leading public health challenge in our Region. An estimated 8.9 million people die annually across the Region due to NCDs, with almost half of those deaths occurring prematurely. I commend all partners gathered today for their ongoing commitment in this battle against noncommunicable diseases, said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region, in a message to the meeting participants.
Health equity and primary care is the backbone of health service delivery, and WHO remains committed in supporting the Member States strengthen frontline services and make NCD prevention, diagnosis and control an essential part of them,” Dr Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative in Bangladesh, said, delivering Regional Director’s message.
Bangladesh accounts for 580 000 of the nearly 9 million annual deaths in the Region caused by NCDs. This is over two thirds of all deaths in the country, and impacts the country’s social and economic development.
The regional meeting will facilitate the introduction of the recently developed training modules for primary health care workers on the Package of Essential Communicable Disease interventions (PEN). The PEN training module aims to increase knowledge and enhance the application of skills and practices of primary health care workers in early detection and appropriate management of NCDs.
NCDs affect employment and education opportunities. The continuing and often expensive treatment and care required for these diseases push families into poverty and create immense pressure on the health systems.
Between 2011 and 2025, the global total economic losses for low and middle-income countries from major NCDs - cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory disease - are estimated to total US $7 trillion.
However, the deaths and disability caused by these NCDs are avoidable; about 80 percent of heart diseases and strokes, or type 2 diabetes and over 30 percent of cancers can be prevented by eliminating common risk factors including smoking and unhealthy diet and promoting physical inactivity. Also, with appropriate interventions, most premature deaths from NCDs can be prevented or delayed.
“Early detection and proper management of NCDs are critical to reducing premature mortality and are vital pillars of Universal Health Coverage. A strong primary health care system that can ensure essential NCD services, is a critical strategy in reducing sickness and death caused by these diseases,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh.