Risk factors remain for non communicable diseases in Africa: experts

Risk factors such as tobacco consumption are increasing throughout sub-Saharan Africa particularly amongst the youth rendering people susceptible to Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Ahmed Ouma Ogwell, the African regional coordinator for prevention of NCDS at the World Health Organization (WHO), made the remarks Tuesday at the opening of an international scientific conference on the role of multi disciplinary approach in the management of NCDs in Kigali.

"We know what to do to prevent the non communicable diseases but what we are lacking is action. Usually chronic illnesses are likely to come late in life when the body is slowing down, and are mostly caused by non communicable diseases which can be avoided if we do the right thing," he said.

He noted that as a global community over the last 15 years, there have been a lot of discussions on NCDs but not acting a lot.

Non communicable diseases are not diseases of the rich, he pointed out, but in the region, it is growing at a very alarming rate yet it is very expensive to treat.

The conference is a response to the threat identified by the WHO in its 2013 global action plan in the prevention and control of NCDs.

The Non-communicable diseases mainly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes are the biggest cause of death worldwide.

More than 36 million are said to die annually from NCDs, including 14 million people who die too young before the age of 70.

More than 90 percent of the premature deaths are linked to common risk factors, namely tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.

Ouma noted that NCDs are crosscutting across all the sectors and that the fiscal policy must be regulated in as far as consumption is concerned.

"The reason we are not doing well is because industry is a bottleneck for our success. Most of the industries are putting in the market products that are unhealthy. Although the unhealthy products contribute to the Gross Domestic Product the effect that they have on the health sector and the society at large is not in line with what the people want," he said.

He called for regulation of whatever industries are producing as a way to have a balance that is positive.

We need to work together and we need bold measures to generate the momentum that is required, he said.

Jeanine Condo the Director General of Non Communicable Diseases at Rwanda Biomedical Center noted it is individual responsibility to ensure physical activity and healthy diet because NCDs are expensive to treat.

She said obesity level in the country increased from 21 percent to 32 percent while hypertension is at 15 percent and diabetes is at 3 percent.

The best alternative is prevention, she said. Endit