Brazzaville, Congo 4 April 2011 -- More than 150 experts on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) began a consultation in Brazzaville, Congo as part of efforts of Member States in the WHO African Region to address the growing prevalence of these diseases.

Organised by the World Health Organization (WHO), the consultation is expected to prepare a Declaration on NCDs prevention and control for the First Global Ministerial Meeting on Healthy Lifestyle and Noncommunicable diseases control scheduled for 28-29 April in Moscow, and the UN General Assembly Head of States and Governments Summit on the Prevention and Control of NCDs to be held in New York from 19- 20 September 2011

The three-day consultation is being organized in two segments: a technical meeting of experts which takes place from 4-5 April and a Ministerial consultation on 6 April 2011.

Speaking at the opening session of the experts meeting, the WHO Regional Director for Africa,

Dr Luis Sambo highlighted the growing negative impact of noncommunicable diseases on the health status and socio-economic development of people in the region and the urgent need for concrete actions.

He said,” Most of the risk factors for NCDs are driven by trade and human consumption of various products including alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs and unhealthy foods and drinks. For us to effectively tackle these and other risk factors, we will have to intensify Health Promotion programmes, and undertake public health actions that involve other sectors.”

The Regional Director went on further to lay emphasis on the importance of adequate statistics on Non Communicable Diseases in Africa, adding that about half of all deaths due to NCDs occur in persons aged less than 70 making NCDs a significant contributor to premature death and disability in Africa.

“Moreover, the burden of mental illness, such as depression, alcohol dependence, and schizophrenia, is seriously underestimated by our statistics that take account of deaths and not disabilities,” he pointed out.

In his remarks, the Prof George Moyen, Minister of Health of Congo noted that countries in the African Region are currently in a phase of epidemiological transition in which they are saddled with the double burden of infectious and noncommunicable diseases. He called for pooling of expertise in health to define a harmonised and coordinated response.

“Our actions, well-managed, should result in the placing of the control of NCDs as a short term priority in the health programs of our countries”, he stressed.

A recent WHO report says that although Africa, as a region, is reporting more deaths from infectious diseases than NCDs, the so-called silent killers are rising rapidly and are projected to exceed communicable diseases, maternal and childhood conditions and nutritional deficiencies combined as the most common causes of death by 2030.

Technical Contact: Dr Boureima Hama Sambo, + 47241 39372, email: boureima-samboh [at] afro.who.int

Media Contact: AFRO Communication Team: Tel: +47-241-39378/ 39420/39352/39382; E-mail: cam [at] afro.who.int