Zambia has called on the Commonwealth to pool resources for a collective campaign against Non Communicable Diseases (NCD).
Zambia is experiencing an epidemiological transition culminating in a complex dual burden of disease of Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases. Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya said this during the Commonwealth Ministers of health meeting on Non Communicable Diseases and Universal Health Coverage on the sidelines of the 71st World Health Assembly which opened today.
“NCDs have placed a heavy burden on our health systems and result in loss of productivity, premature deaths and poverty,” Dr Chilufya said
Zambia has undertaken a STEPS survey to establish a baseline and platform for NCD risk factors.
Further Government has adopted the Health in all Policy summoning all sectors to consider the health of citizens as central in policy making.
We have reengineered the health sector to introduce the Directorate of Health Promotion Environment and Social Determinants which is mandated to craft appropriate health promoting messages to empower people to avoid risks.
The flagship National Health week, an annual event, led by His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, is a high impact social movement against NCDs, as it escalates the campaign for physical exercises and good nutrition, among other interventions.
Zambia is a state party to the WHO framework convention on tobacco control(FCTC) and has crafted a bill on tobacco products control.
Cancer control programs will further be enhanced targeting cervical, breast, prostate cancer and retinoblastoma.
Meanwhile Zambia has reaffirmed its support for priority recommendations made in confronting NCDs in the Commonwealth.
Issued by Stanslous Ngosa Head Communications and External Relations Ministry of Health. Contact:+260977694310. Email: stanslousn.ngosa@moh.gov.zm, ngosastan@gmail.com
