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The International symposium on Cardiovascular
diseases, stroke and diabetes was held in the All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, New Delhi
from the 17th to 18th February 2006. The World Health
Organization (WHO) report, 'Preventing Chronic Diseases: a vital
investment' was released on this
occasion by Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss,
Honourable Minister for Health and Family Welfare,
Government of India.The report
provides projections for the economic impact of chronic diseases. In 2005, India
is estimated to have lost US$ 9 billion in national income from premature
deaths due to heart disease, stroke and diabetes. These losses are projected
to continue to increase: the estimated accumulated losses to India
from 2005 to 2015 are US$ 237 billion.
Faced with the prospect of millions of people dying
prematurely and suffering needlessly from heart disease, stroke, cancer and
diabetes, WHO says the global epidemic of chronic
disease must be stopped. Contrary to common perception, this largely invisible
epidemic is especially severe in low and middle income countries, where 80%
of all chronic disease deaths occur.
The Government of India recognizes the magnitude of
the problem of chronic diseases and has initiated steps to address them in a
comprehensive manner. Tobacco use is the single most important preventable
risk factor for chronic diseases. India
has signed and ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and has
enacted a comprehensive legislation for tobacco control in India. All
avenues for tobacco control are being strengthened including the setting up
of a network of tobacco cessation services through existing health systems.
Information on population prevalence of risk factors
is important for planning and evaluation of integrated chronic disease
control programmes. The Integrated Diseases
Surveillance Project has included Non-Communicable Disease risk factor
surveillance based on the WHO STEPS approach. This will provide baseline and
trends in the prevalence of risk factors in the population.
India
has held consultations on the national implementation of the Global Strategy
on Diet, Physical Activity and Health and has developed food-based dietary
guidelines in the regional context.
India
is one of the few countries to have a National Cancer Control Programme and through this programme
has been able to address the treatment gap and promote prevention, early
detection and palliative care.
WHO India is providing technical support and works
with the Government in setting up demonstration projects in health promotion,
healthy settings, risk factor surveillance and integrated NCD control programmes. The network of WHO Collaborating Centres act as resource centres
in their area of expertise.
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