SEA/RC60/7 - Scaling up prevention and control of chronic noncommunicable diseases in the South-East Asia region

Abstract

Chronic noncommunicable diseases (‎NCDs)‎ are assuming alarming proportions in the South- East Asia (‎SEA)‎ Region. Almost half of the 89 million NCD-related deaths projected in the Region during the next 10 years will occur prematurely, thus hindering social and economic development of Member countries. There is strong evidence that significant reduction in NCDs can be achieved by the introduction of simple public health interventions addressing major NCD risk factors and their socioeconomic determinants at population, community and individual levels. Member countries of the SEA Region are in the process of strengthening their public health response to ongoing epidemics of NCDs by initiating national policies, plans and programmes for prevention and control of NCDs. The Health Secretaries of Member countries of the SEA Region, at their Eleventh Meeting held in June 2006, endorsed the WHO Regional Framework for Prevention and Control of NCDs. The Joint Meeting of Health Secretaries and the Consultative Committee for Programme Development and Management (‎CCPDM)‎ held in the Regional Office, New Delhi from 2–6 July 2007 further considered and endorsed the Framework. The priorities for its implementation were also identified. The Joint Meeting made the following recommendations: Action by Member States (‎1)‎ To set up mechanisms to promote multilateral, multisectoral, multidisciplinary and multilevel collaboration in applying evidence-based and cost-effective interventions for prevention and control of NCDs. (‎2)‎ To ensure that the integration of NCD programmes should correspond to the stage of epidemiological transition and existing health infrastructure, and meet the health needs of the population. Action by WHO-SEARO (‎1)‎ To submit to the Sixtieth session of the Regional Committee the draft resolution on the Regional Framework for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, identifying priorities for its implementation. (‎2)‎ To support the establishment of the Regional NCD Network (‎SEANET-NCD)‎. The Sixtieth session of the Regional Committee is invited to consider the Regional Framework for Prevention and Control of NCDs and provide guidance on strategies for its implementation.