Ghana to host first National Dialogue on non Communicable Diseases
Ghana to host first National Dialogue on non Communicable Diseases
Ghana to host first National Dialogue on non Communicable Diseases
The first annual national dialogue for action on non communicable diseases ( NCDs).
The two days event will discuss the relationship between the burden of NCDs and the attainment of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Ghana by 2030.
The dialogue, to be held at the Noguchi memorial institute for medical research, university of Ghana, will be organised by the African research universities alliance (ARUA) center of excellence for non communicable diseases, University of Ghana Hub.
It is being supported by the SDGs advisory unit, office of the president a press release issued to the Daily Sun106.com in Accra, said.
The dialogue for action will bring together researchers, heath professionals policy makers, government officials, civil society organizations and communities affected by NCDs to establish a community of practice and sign a compact for action, the release signed by Dr.bFelix Addo Yobo deputy director at the advisory unit said.
A number of Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are predicted to become the leading cause of death in Ghana and Africa in the next seven years, the Project Lead for Advocating for Health Coalition project, Mr. Felix Addo Yobo Ph.D has disclosed. The NCDs include diabetes, hypertension, cancer, heart disease, chronic lung disease and stroke.
According to him, there was a surge in diet-related NCDs amidst challenges of food insecurity, micronutrient malnutrition, and infectious morbidities.
Speaking with the Daily Sun106.com at a press Engagement in Accra on Wednesday, Mr. Felix Addo Yobo Ph.D stated that health cost and death linked to these diseases had mounted and that it was the right intervention to protect, promote and guarantee public health.
Advocating for Health Coalition is a coalition made up of the University of Ghana School of Public Health, Ghana NCDs Alliance, Ghana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Ghana Public Health Association.
Mr.Felix Addo Yobo Ph.D noted that several local studies reported a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among Ghanaians, ranging from 16 to 46 per cent for children aged six– 15 years, and 25 to 47per cent for adults aged 15 years or older.
He said people (particularly children) who suffered from obesity had an “elevated probability” of developing other diet- related NCDs, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and stroke in later life.
“I therefore commend the government of Ghana for the proposal to tax health- harming commodities and products, including sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).
“SSBs are a significant contributor to obesity and other diet-related NCDs (including tooth decay). The true economic and health costs of these whenever it is estimated is very very huge,’’ he stated.
The story by Fada Amakye from Daily Sun106.com
