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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Year : 2021  |  Volume : 34  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 402-403

Role of government in minimizing the caseload and deaths attributed to noncommunicable diseases: World Health Organization


1 Member of the Medical Education Unit and Institute Research Council, Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth – Deemed to be University, Ammapettai, Nellikuppam, Chengalpet District, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth – Deemed to be University, Ammapettai, Nellikuppam, Chengalpet District, Tamil Nadu, India

Date of Submission22-Jul-2019
Date of Decision06-Aug-2019
Date of Acceptance21-Aug-2019
Date of Web Publication27-Mar-2021

Correspondence Address:
Saurabh Ram BihariLal Shrivastava
Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (SBV) - Deemed to be University, Tiruporur - Guduvancherry Main Road, Ammapettai, Nellikuppam, Chengalpet District - 603108, Tamil Nadu
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/mmj.mmj_226_19

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How to cite this article:
Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS. Role of government in minimizing the caseload and deaths attributed to noncommunicable diseases: World Health Organization. Menoufia Med J 2021;34:402-3

How to cite this URL:
Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS. Role of government in minimizing the caseload and deaths attributed to noncommunicable diseases: World Health Organization. Menoufia Med J [serial online] 2021 [cited 2024 Mar 28];34:402-3. Available from: http://www.mmj.eg.net/text.asp?2021/34/1/402/312018



Dear Editor,

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) continue to remain a global public health threat, especially due to their universal distribution, high prevalence, being more common in low-income and middle-income nations, and alarming rates of premature disease-related deaths [1],[2]. In-fact, these diseases alone contribute to more than 70% of the global deaths due to all causes and it is quite noteworthy that on an annual basis these diseases result in premature deaths of more than 15 million people worldwide [1]. Furthermore, as already mentioned, owing to the lack of screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic services (poor access to treatment), in excess of 75% of the NCD deaths have been reported in developing nations [1].

In the battle of the health sector against these NCDs, a wide range of challenges has been identified, including heterogeneous and poor progress worldwide to reduce these premature deaths, pressure of the private sector on the government to give priority to other issues than public health goals, and lack of commitment from policy makers to warrant that NCD-related health promotion, prevention and control activities become an integral part of the national policy [3],[4]. It is very important to address these challenges and any failure on our part is bound to result in massive impact, including financial loss to the individuals, families, and society and thus interfere with the progress to attain sustainable development goals [3],[4].

Thus, it is high time that bold steps are taken to reduce the incidence of the disease as well as the number of deaths [2]. Simultaneously, measures have to be taken to strengthen different levels of prevention and ensure that all people can avail desired health care services [2]. However, the success of the interventions depends upon the collaborative and coordinated approach from the concerned sectors and stakeholders, as their involvement is extremely crucial [2],[4]. Moreover, interventions have to be taken to counter the known risk factors, including intake of tobacco or alcohol, unhealthy dietary practices, physical inactivity, etc. [4]. This has to be supported by the better detection and treatment services [2],[3].

The need of the hour is that the governments should take the onus to protect the general population from the potential risk factors, which can predispose the individuals for the development of these NCDs [1],[4]. The concerned ministries have to take steps to increase the tax on the tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks, which will not only generate more revenue, but also will indirectly, help in minimizing the consumption of these harmful products [1],[2]. Also, due attention has to be given towards strengthening of the advocacy, communication, and social mobilization activities, so that the general population is very much aware and then they can take well-informed decisions [1],[4]. These actions will enable individuals to have a better quality of life and at the same time even the community can grow proportionately [4].

In conclusion, the time has come to show our commitment to ensure that intensified steps are taken to safeguard people from the resulting consequences of the NCDs across the world.

Acknowledgements

Saurabh R. Shrivastava contributed in the conception or design of the work, drafting of the work, approval of the final version of the manuscript, and agreed for all aspects of the work. Prateek S. Shrivastava contributed in the literature review, revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, approval of the final version of the manuscript, and agreed for all aspects of the work.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

1.
World Health Organization. Noncommunicable diseases – fact sheet; 2018. Available at: www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases. [Last accessed on 2019 Jul 22].  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS, Ramasamy J. Tackling the rising trends of non-communicable diseases during public health emergencies. Int J Prev Med 2016; 7:20.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS, Ramasamy J. Failure to attain set targets for non-communicable diseases: World Health Organization. Med J DY Patil Vidyapeeth 2018; 11:455–456.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
World Health Organization. Governments commit to reduce suffering and deaths from noncommunicable diseases; 2017. Available at: www.who.int/news-room/detail/18-10-2017-governments-commit-to-reduce-suffering-and-deaths-from-noncommunicable-diseases. [Last accessed on 2019 Jul 22].  Back to cited text no. 4
    




 

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