East Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) 4th WHO-IUMSP International Seminar on Public Health Aspects of Noncommunicable Diseases Aulac Hotel Lausanne, Switzerland 7-12th March, 2011 Dorothy Namuchimba Manager-Food Security and Nutrition Arusha, Tanzania

ECSA Health Community is a--- Regional inter-governmental health organization operating in ten countries in the region Promotes and encourages efficiency and relevance in the provision of health services in the region Fosters and strengthens regional cooperation and capacity to address the health needs of member states

A brief History Founded under Commonwealth secretariat in 1974 Became autonomous in 1980 under direct control of Member State governments Officially re-named ECSA Health Community in 2002 reflecting member country ownership

Ten Member Countries Lesotho Malawi Mauritius Seychelles Swaziland Kenya Lesotho Malawi Mauritius Seychelles Swaziland Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe

Governance Conference of Health Ministers Advisory Committee Directors’ Joint Consultative Committee Secretariat

Technical Programmes Human Resource for Health Development and Capacity Building Family and Reproductive Health Food and Nutrition Security Health Systems and Services Development HIV/AIDS & Infectious Diseases Research Information & Advocacy

Food Security and Nutrition Programme Mandate: To undertake activities that contribute to the reduction of malnutrition in the ECSA region 2 Strategic Objectives : Contribute to the improvement of nutrition, food safety and food security in order to attain good health in ECSA region. Strengthen capacity of Member States for prevention and control of communicable and non communicable diseases in the ECSA region

NCDs in ECSA Generally, All the countries are doing something on NCDs. Countries are at different levels, some more advanced than others Not comprehensive enough to be called adequate Mauritius has a comprehensive program with structures to the lowest level to process, manage, treat and follow up. Others, Tz, kenya, uganda

Main Challenges Non existent or weak surveillance systems Data on various NCDs remain scanty and incomplete Weak health systems which are fragmented, inadequately coordinated and under-resourced Poor linkages between Health systems and other sectors-Agric, Education, trade and industry, Transport, Urban planning, private sector, work places schools and communities.

Challenges Cont’d Capacity of health systems to tackle NCDs is weakened by Human resources for health crisis Resulting from low production of skilled professionals Low morale and motivation due to low salaries and poor working conditions and migration Programmes remain weak, fragmented and under funded.

Regional Initiates Repeated resolutions passed during the health ministers conference A number of countries have conducted surveys to determine prevalence (Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles), others about to Tanzania initiated an NCD mortality Transitions project

Initiatives Cont’d Development of Regional NCD strategy NCD focal person based at ECSA Create a Regional NCD data base Harmonize

Thank you

Strategic Direction 4. Indigenous Foods Advocate for policy to support production and consumption of indigenous foods and to create local demand and Bio-fortification 5. Health Promotion Strengthen cross-sectoral linkages for Health promotion of Diet related diseases in Health and education.

Partners USAID/EA UNICEF, WFP AH2010 A2Z MI RCQHC Member States