The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, and his Deputy Dr Gwen Ramokgopa, are hosting a Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) from 12 to 13 September 2011 at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre.
The need for this summit is prompted by the growing mortality rate and burden of disease resulting from NCDs, notwithstanding the fact that most NCDs are preventable. The intention of the summit is for the Department of Health to partner with key stakeholders in developing strategies and plans to improve health in South Africa (SA).
The department is aware that should we move in directions that are not evidence based or do not have support from important role players, it will be impossible to improve health status to the levels we know are possible. This summit will therefore present and assess the evidence on prevention and control of NCDs and attempt to build consensus, partnerships and a path for moving forward.
Non-communicable diseases are responsible for more deaths and illnesses worldwide than any other cause. Despite the fact that in South Africa AIDS and HIV related deaths and illness predominate, the numbers of people living with and dying from non-communicable diseases is simultaneously rapidly increasing. Concerted action across sectors is needed to address this growing problem.
Non–communicable diseases refer to conditions which, though often linked to genetic make-up, are not “communicated” to individuals from other persons, animals, insects or vectors. They include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke), cancers and chronic respiratory diseases. Many of these conditions are "lifestyle" related and preventable.
In 2005 chronic non-communicable diseases were responsible for an estimated 60% or 35 million of the approximate 58 million deaths worldwide. Non-communicable chronic diseases will account for 69% of global deaths by 2030 and 80% of chronic deaths will occur in low and middle income countries.
A study done as part of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) in South Africa in 2008 found 31% of men and 36% of women to be hypertensive. Compared with rates recorded 10 years previously (in the Demographic and Health Survey) there has been a significant rise in hypertension of 10% in women and 7% in men. Evidence is available to show that other non-communicable diseases are showing similar increases.
The risk factors of chronic diseases of lifestyle were previously associated with a myth that chronic diseases mainly affect rich people and high income countries but in fact the chronic disease burden is concentrated among the poor. Poor people are more vulnerable for several reasons, including increased risks and decreased access to health services.
The main risk factors for non-communicable diseases are poor diet, lack of exercise, tobacco and alcohol use. South Africa has introduced significant legislative changes and actions towards the control of the use of tobacco and tobacco products; however similar interventions are needed with regard to the other risk factors.
With the exception of a reduction in smoking, South Africans continue to be inactive, eat unhealthily, are obese and use alcohol in a harmful manner.
Non-communicable diseases have up to the present been generally regarded as the Department of Health’s problem. However the nature of the risk factors for NCDs demands that interventions are aligned to global and national policies which include but are not exclusive to health.
It is identified that at least the Departments of Trade and Industry, Basic Education, Higher Education, Water and Environmental Affairs, Science and Technology, Finance, Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Sports and Recreation and Social Development play critical roles in a comprehensive approach to the prevention and control of chronic diseases.
The Minister of Health has already been involved in a number of national and international initiatives to reduce the risks of NCDs and improve services. Minister Dr A Motsoaledi launched the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Healthy Lifestyles Day in February 2010, as directed by the African Union (AU) to create a platform for SADC Ministers of Health to show their commitment to promote interventions that contribute toward reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases.
In September 2010 the Minister co-hosted the Diabetes Leadership Forum Africa. The forum included a round table discussion by Ministers of Health in preparation for the Heads of State meeting in September 2011. South Africa was represented at a consultative meeting of African countries hosted by the World Health Organisation in April 2011.
The Minister of Health represented South Africa at a Ministerial Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Non-Communicable Disease Control in Moscow in April 2011, hosted by the Minister of Health and Social Services of Russia, together with the Director-General of the World Health Organisation. This meeting contributed toward the final resolution for presentation at the Heads of State meeting in New York. Notwithstanding, much more effort is needed from Health, as well as other sectors to address this growing health problem.
In hosting the South African Summit on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, the Honourable Minister and Deputy Minister hope that proceedings involving all relevant government departments, private, research, professional, statutory, academic and civil society sectors will:
- Ensure that South Africa is united and well prepared for the high level United Nations General Assembly Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases
- Provide analysis of the current situation with regard to NCDs in South Africa and propose solutions on how to reduce incidence and prevalence through comprehensive and intersectoral interventions
- Assist in the realisation of the Negotiated Service Delivery Agreement signed by the Minister of Health together with other Ministers to increase life expectancy
- Agree on strategies and targets to be reached in South Africa to improve the situation regarding non-communicable diseases through a declaration to be agreed to by all participants.
Globally, increasing recognition that non-communicable diseases are a major development rather than just a health concern has led to the United Nations (UN) convening a high level meeting of the General Assembly 19 to 20 September 2011 with the participation of Heads of States, Ministers and governments.
This is only the second time in the history of the UN that Heads of State have been called to attend to a health matter; the previous meeting focussed on HIV and AIDS.
While the resolutions that will be put to the meeting are still being developed it will almost certainly include clauses that require countries and donors to put more effort and resources into preventing and treating non-communicable diseases and that greater inter-sectoral collaboration is required to combat these diseases.
Moreover leadership at the highest level is critical to the fight against non-communicable diseases. South Africans will be proudly represented at the UN Meeting in New York on 19 to 20 September by an esteemed delegation led by His Excellency the President of South Africa including the Minister and Deputy Minister of Health.
