Dr Jeyaraj D Pandian, Vice-President, WSO was invited as an expert to attend the WHO Southeast Region (WHO SEAR) virtual consultation for non-communicable diseases (NCD) which was held on 13th June, at WHO SEAR head office, New Delhi. This meeting was organized to discuss the new Regional Implementation Roadmap for the prevention and control of NCDs (2013-2020) till 2030, taking into the new targets set for 2030 as part of Sustainable Developmental Agenda. Dr Razia Narayan Pendse, Director of Department of Healthier Populations and Non-Communicable Diseases (HPN) gave the welcome address. Dr Cherian Varghese, Regional advisor, NCD presented the regional implementation roadmap and Dr Nalika Gunawardena, Technical officer, NCD moderated the discussion.
The region has made progress towards the 2025 targets set in the regional action plan and the SDG target of one third reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2030. However, the progress is inadequate and uneven, and this roadmap will provide strategic direction and tools with a view to prioritize and accelerate high impact interventions feasible in the national context. The highlights of the roadmap are as follows: 1. Sustain and strengthen the current national policies and programs for NCDs 2. Prioritize high impact and feasible interventions in the local context 3. Accelerate implementation through digital health and other innovations and ensure NCDs are well covered at primary health centers and in universal health coverage 4. Invest in data collection and measurement and make timely reliable data available for action and accountability.
An online tool has been developed to assist South-East Asia Region Member States in prioritizing different NCD interventions as part of their national NCD response. The best buys for all NCDs including stroke have been modelled in this simulation tool. Emphasis was laid on integration of NCD control through major programs.