Annual Programme of Work 2005 - Ministry of Health
Annual Programme of Work 2005 - Ministry of Health
Annual Programme of Work 2005 - Ministry of Health
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The major NCDs in Ghana are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive<br />
pulmonary disease and cancers. Chronic diseases share several preventable biological<br />
risk factors (high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and overweight), and related<br />
major behavioral risk factors (unhealthy diet, lack <strong>of</strong> physical activity and tobacco use).<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> the widest inequalities in the burden <strong>of</strong> disease are observed with NCDs.<br />
Contrary to popular perception, poor households suffer a higher burden <strong>of</strong> chronic<br />
diseases. In one study, death rate from circulatory diseases was more than twice as high<br />
among residents <strong>of</strong> poor areas in Accra as that among those in the more affluent parts.<br />
The thrust for <strong>2005</strong> is to further develop the NCD programme so that it is more visible at<br />
various levels. In addition to the chronic diseases, the NCD programme would seek to<br />
initiate the process for establishing an injury surveillance system.<br />
Priority activities would include:<br />
• Review <strong>of</strong> the draft national policy on NCDs<br />
• Initiate the preparation <strong>of</strong> national strategic plan for NCDs<br />
• Determine the prevalence <strong>of</strong> risk factors for chronic diseases<br />
• Integrate NCD surveillance into the public health surveillance system<br />
• Support the legislative framework against tobacco promotion and use (disseminate it<br />
and include in public health bill)<br />
• Establishment <strong>of</strong> the national cancer registry<br />
• Initiate dialogue among stakeholders towards a coordinated response to intentional<br />
and unintentional injuries<br />
Expected Outputs/Results<br />
• Prevalence <strong>of</strong> risk factors for chronic diseases estimated<br />
• Cancer registers developed and system for maintaining database introduced<br />
• Revised NCD policy document drafted and disseminated<br />
• Sentinel surveillance <strong>of</strong> NCDs initiated<br />
<strong>Health</strong> Promotion and Nutrition<br />
<strong>Health</strong> Promotion<br />
There is good evidence that changes in dietary habits, physical activity and tobacco<br />
control could lead to rapid changes in population risk factors and prevalence <strong>of</strong> chronic<br />
diseases. <strong>Health</strong> promotion will focus on making such healthy life choices easy choices<br />
through the use <strong>of</strong> multiple strategies including behavioral change communication,<br />
building health public polices, creating supportive environments and strengthening<br />
community actions. The thrust <strong>of</strong> this component will be to promote healthy lifestyles<br />
aimed at reducing common biological and behavioral risk factors such as overweight,<br />
high blood pressure and high cholesterol tobacco use, excessive consumption <strong>of</strong> alcohol,<br />
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