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Nationwide plan to counter four diseases

A single nation-wide plan that will jointly counter four common diseases is being readied by the UAE after the United Nations called for immediate action against non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The single comprehensive national strategy will prioritise joint action against diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders and cancers since all are caused by common risk factors including obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity and smoking.

A draft strategy for 2011-2021 has been prepared jointly by health authorities in the country and will soon be presented to the ministers’ cabinet for further action.

The UAE draft is loosely based on the GCC’s strategy on NCDs and will aim at reducing people’s exposure to causative risk factors, improving services to prevent and treat these leading health problems as well as increase national capacity.

“The UN General Assembly gathered in New York in September 2011 to encourage member states to put in more policies and strategies to counter these diseases,” said Dr Mahmoud Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Policies and Chairman of Diabetes National Committee.

“Fighting infectious diseases and maintaining health of human beings are among the top strategic priorities of the ministry due to the rapid increase in the population of the country,’ said Dr Fikri.

Dr Salah Al Badawi, Head of National Programme for Diabetes at the health ministry said that a national task force had been formed.

“We need a comprehensive approach to tackle all these diseases together since they share a common risk factor,” he explained. “Obesity that can lead to high blood pressure and heart diseases, smoking, poor diet and inactive lifestyle have been identified as the main causes for these disease. And the strategy will tackle all these issues in a single plan,” said Dr Badawi.

At present, there is only one active national strategy and that tackles diabetes. Training of professionals, disseminating information and providing timely and readily available treatment are an integral part of the diabetes strategy.

A report issued by World Health Organisation on May 17 pointed out that one in three adults suffers from high blood pressure while one in 10 people worldwide are estimated to have diabetes. The WHO report also said that half a billion people or 12 per cent of the world’s population is considered obese.

Diabetes in the UAE is also considered one of the highest rates in the world. Based on the statistics of the International Diabetes Federation, the UAE occupies the 10^th rank (fallen from 2^nd position) in 2011 with a percentage of 19.2 per cent which is expected to reach 19.8 per cent in 2030.

Dr Badawi said that though disease management will be different from each other under the national plan, the strategic objective will be the same.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com