African health experts pledge action on non-communicable diseases

Medical researchers from Sub-Saharan Africa on Monday pledged robust collaboration with governments, industry and communities to explore new ways to combat lifestyle diseases.

The African health experts who met at a forum in Nairobi decried rising toll of non-communicable diseases that has strained the continent's healthcare infrastructure.

Kenya's Minister for Health James Macharia in his opening remarks underscored the role of public private partnership to expand treatment for lifestyle diseases like cancers, diabetes, infertility and cardio-vascular ailments.

"There is need for African countries to strengthen research, pharmaco-vigilance and community awareness to enhance response to non-communicable diseases," Macharia said.

The Kenyan ministry of health in conjunction with German Pharmaceutical firm, Merck organized the Nairobi summit to discuss impact of lifestyle diseases in the continent.

Policymakers, researchers, industry executives and community based health advocates endorsed a Pan African initiative to revitalize the war against non-communicable diseases.

The health minister said investments in health care infrastructure, training and community awareness are key to combat lifestyle diseases across Sub-Saharan Africa.

"We must bridge human resource and infrastructural gaps to win the war against lifestyle diseases. Likewise, there are need to develop new policy and regulatory tools to combat these diseases effectively," Macharia told advocates.

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) contends that Africa is the new epicenter for non-communicable diseases thanks to rapid urbanization and low levels of awareness among the populace.

Macharia said investments in diagnostic equipment, essential drugs and healthy lifestyles were key to minimize the burden of cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular ailments in Africa.

"We should install screening machines in every health facility and encourage communities to test for cancers and diabetes regularly. Early detection and availability of cheaper drugs will help prevent deaths arising for these diseases," Macharia said.

He added that Kenya has endorsed a World Health Organization led global action plan to reduce mortality arising from non-communicable diseases by 25 percent in the next ten years.

Multinational companies have partnered with African governments to strengthen research, treatment and management of non-communicable diseases.

The Deputy CEO of Merck Stefan Oschmann noted that strategic public private partnerships are behind expansion of affordable treatment for lifestyle diseases in Africa.

"Pharmaceutical companies are ready to subsidize the cost of treating non-communicable diseases in Africa if there is goodwill from governments," Oschmann said. Endit