Oman takes big strides in fight against noncommunicable diseases

Muscat: Significant strides made by Oman in the treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially diabetes, heart diseases, cancer diseases and chronic respiratory diseases were discussed at a meeting on Sunday.
It was held under the chair of Dr. Ali bin Talib Al Hinai, Undersecretary of Ministry of Health for Planning Affairs at the Ministry of Health Headquarters, where the committee members discussed the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports and future
steps to combat the disease.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Health, “The meeting discussed a report issued by the WHO on the progress made in NCDs indicators. The report pointed out that the Sultanate has made significant strides in the treatment of NCDs especially diabetes, heart diseases, cancer diseases and chronic respiratory diseases.
“However, more efforts must be exerted to protect the community from the risk factors causing these diseases including tobacco use, unhealthy food and physical inactivity. Therefore, the Committee has worked on preparing an integrated sector-oriented plan to handle these risk factors, where the other non-health sectors play a significant role in reducing
these factors.”
The WHO report, “Why 2018 Is An Important Year For NCDs” gave Oman a score of “8/19” for the year 2017, where 19 means, “Fully achieved”. The ministry statement added, “The Committee has also highlighted the visit of the WHO expert regarding the required training on calculating the estimated cost of the NCDs plan, in order to be accredited by the competent authorities.”
The report added that challenges to NCD protections in general can be related to “political choices, health systems, national capacity, international financing, economic, market and commercial factors, and accountability”. NCDs are crucial to health and longevity in all countries in the world.
The report said, “Four types of NCDs – cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases – make the largest contribution to death in the majority of countries in the world. These four NCDs are preventable by means of public policies that tackle four risk factors for NCDs: tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. These policies also benefit mental health.”