DECEMBER 16, 2011
“In Armenia we still have so much to do for introducing the healthy lifestyle, conducing ourselves to walk more, quit smoking, use healthy food- avoiding fatty and not salty one,”- declared HS-STAR project Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) advisor Karine Abelyan at opening of a workshop “Non-communicable Diseases: thoughts and actions”, organized at HS-STAR office.ԴԵԿՏԵՄԲԵՐ 16, 2011
Ministry of Health, State hygienic and anti-epidemiological agency (SHAA), pediatric associations’ and international organizations representatives, NCD specialists participated in the meeting. The aim of the workshop was to discuss the NCD situation in Armenia and develop further step actions.
During workshop, the World Health Organization’s European strategic action plan for NCD prevention and management was presented. WHO Action plan has 5 major interventions, namely- development of consumer selection directed toward health care, elimination of transfigured fats from food, salt consumption restriction, cardio metabolic risk assessment and management, early cancer detection. The WHO best buys are based on evidence based medicine, have high efficiency, are cost-effective, affordable financially and realistic.
During the presentation, interesting facts were highlighted about developed countries achievements in this area. Particularly, during 1980-2006 in Island the overall morbidity has decreased by 80%! Finland was able to reduce its cardio-vascular diseases mortality rate by more than 80% during 30 years. These countries have exerted formidable efforts to achieve the mentioned results. For instance, an increase in population knowledge on the types of grease, replacement of butter with vegetable oils, everyday use of fruits and vegetables played a pivotal role.
During workshop, different agencies’ representatives presented their implemented activities. MoH program implementation department head R. Yuzbashyan spoke about national strategic programs on prevention and management of heart and oncological diseases and diabetes. SHAA NCD and infection diseases epidemiological department head L Avetisyan presented the SHAA fuctions and stressed the necessity of having permanent epidemiological surveillance. The pediatrics association representative M. Melkumova presented the results of a study on various NCD related issues conducted among school age children.
The participants emphasized that much is to be done in Armenia to develop and implement the mentioned interventions. They came to an agreement that we can have serious successes as a result of a joint efforts of different organizations (health, educational, food industry etc.), mass media, NGOs and other stakeholders. At the end of the meeting, it was decided that the participants are to develop their comments and suggestions concerning the WHO action plan five major interventions. In the next year, another workshop will be organized, where each party’s actions and collaboration possibilities will be clearer.
