WHO recently released a new report, entitled “Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in Belarus. The case for investment”, that provides evidence that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) reduce economic output. The economic burden analysis provided in the publication shows that economic losses from NCDs (direct and indirect costs) are 4.6 billion Belarusian roubles (2.3 billion euros). This is equivalent to 5.4% of the country’s gross domestic product in 2015.
The report also contains an intervention costing analysis that estimates the funding required to implement a set of policy interventions for tobacco and alcohol control and salt reduction, and cardiovascular disease and diabetes clinical interventions. The economic analysis demonstrates significant returns on investment for all policy interventions.
A team of experts from the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Interagency Task Force on NCDs and WHO presented the report and its findings during a high-level roundtable meeting organized by WHO in Minsk, Belarus, on 23 April 2018.
Participants included key decision-makers and stakeholders from the Belarusian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, the state food industry organization Belgospischeprom, the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the National Statistical Committee, the Parliamentary Commission on Health, and health departments. Representatives from United Nations agencies, the World Bank and international organizations also attended.
In his opening remarks, Minister of Health Valery Malashko emphasized the importance of the joint work of all sectors on the prevention of NCDs. He noted that progress towards the country’s goals related to tobacco, alcohol, physical activity and nutrition, set out in the state programme People’s Health and Demographic Security of the Republic of Belarus, can be accelerated by expanding the scale of investing in activities at the national level and by strengthening intersectoral approaches.
During discussions, participants shared their opinions on the recommended intersectoral measures at the population level to reduce the burden of NCDs, and ways to promote sustainable economic growth through a reduction in NCD-related economic losses.
WHO/Europe and the WHO Country Office in Belarus coordinated the preparation of the report as part of the biennial collaborative agreement for 2016–2017 between the Ministry of Health of Belarus and WHO. The report was financed through a voluntary contribution of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.