HEALTH experts have found that chronic diseases are wrecking more havoc in Africa and Asia, where they claim more lives than infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Chronic diseases, also referred to as Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are currently the leading cause of death in these continents, accounting for 60 percent deaths globally in 2005, more than twice the number deaths caused by communicable diseases in the same period. The 1st Africa – Asia summit on Chronic Disease, which took place in Kampala last week, was aimed at preparing communities in the developing world in dealing with such emerging epidemics. Addressing participants at the Summit on Friday, Dr. Fiona Adshead, the Director of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion at the World Health Organization (WHO), said that her organization predicts that if preventive, control and surveillance measures are not undertaken now; the incidence of Non Communicable Diseases will reach epidemic proportions by the year 2025. “The alarming rate of growth of the burden of both death and disability” from NCDs in Africa is ever more recognized,” Adshead alerted the audience. She added: “Hypertension, stroke, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and the consequence of tobacco use, alcohol abuse and illicit drugs, are growing as serious public health challenges.” NCDs such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, various forms of cancer and other related diseases are now projected to be the largest cause of death world-wide. “We now have the evidence and best practices that can make a difference in African and Asian countries. The option we have is to use the evidence to act now,” she said. Adshead also urged governments to define, cost and implement a basic health care package that addresses the major part of its diseases burden through appropriate interventions using an integrated approach. “The interventions would take care of the priority health problems communicable and non –communicable diseases,” she said. Speaking at the Summit, Prof Robert Beaglehole of University of Auckland also echoed alarm on the increasing burden of chronic diseases in the developing countries stating that presently, more people are increasingly dying of chronic diseases in these countries than the developed world. “Prevention has been neglected yet cheap and cost effective interventions are available. There is need to act on the double burden of disease and align with other agendas (development and environment),”he said , citing salt reduction ,tobacco control ,exercising and reduction of the consumption of fats as part of the many cost –effective interventions available. According to the Professor, this would prevent 32 million deaths by 2015. The summit is organized by Aga Khan Development Network in collaboration with WHO and the government of Uganda. Ends
