Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) In Kuwait Dr.Yousef Al-Nesef Assistant Undersecretary MOH State of Kuwait 2009 elmor@hotmail.com

Global Burden of NCDs 47% of the global burden of disease, NCDs such as cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer, renal, genetic and respiratory conditions are major health threat accounting for : 60% of deaths 47% of the global burden of disease, 75 % of deaths in developing countries “The World Health Report 2004” 

EMRO Burden NCDs are rising dramatically in the EMRO Region accounting for: 45% of the region’s disease burden 60% by the year 2020.

Where are we in Kuwait?

Prevalence of NCDs in Kuwait* - Cardiovascular Diseases 40.2 % - External causes / Accidents 18.7 % - Neoplasm 11.5 % - Diabetes mellitus 4.5 % * Adult Kuwaitis Health Kuwait 2006 Y. Elnesef

Main Five Causes of Death in Kuwait 2006 Per 100,000 Rate Causes of Death 106.6 Cardiovascular 40.9 Tumors 18.9 Traffic accidents 13.6 Endocrine Metabolic nutritional disorders 12.7 Diabetes mellitus 10.9 Hypertension Source: Health Kuwait,2006

Prevalence of NCD Risk Factors % RISK FACTOR 81 Low fruit and vegetable 75.4 Overweight &OBESITY 55.4 Physical Inactivity 38.6 Raise Cholesterol 20.6 Smoking 20.5 Hypertension 12.4 Diabetes Mellitus 2.7 Alcohol Consumption 70 At least 3 risk factors 9 Eman Study, 2008

Kuwait’s Commitments

1. Addressing Risk Factors Targeting All Modifiable Risk Factors (Lifestyle, Obesity, Smoking, Inactive Life etc): Target = 80%

2. Control and Preventions Activities National Programs International and Regional Co-ordination Health Education Healthy Clinic Clinical Practice Guidelines Referral Policies Y. Elnesef

3. Cooperation at the International, Regional and National levels Kuwait MOH is working in collaboration with WHO, UN, UNICEF, GCC Ministerial Council for health and other agencies for exchange of experiences, ideas, planning and implementation of joint researches and programs.

Examples of Joint Work at the Regional level EMAN Imitative to control NCDs Diabetes plan at GCC Countries to control and prevention the disease World Health Survey, Global Survey for Tobacco use Among Youth.

4. Need-based Service Provision 82 Primary Health Care centers 6 General Hospitals (2567 Beds) 17 Specialized Hospitals (2134 beds)

5. Special Attention to PHC Role The Government Program , gave special attention to PHC in prevention, Control of Non-Communicable Diseases . A unique, well organized, easily accessible and good infrastructure PHC Service enables the integration of all NCD's prevention and control in PHC settings.

Preventive Care Through PHC Health education screening, Counseling preventive clinics : Smoking cessation, Obesity control, Health promotion Breast feeding promotion. Retinopathy screening  

Clinical Guidelines to Ensure High Quality Care

Specific Initiatives

Diabetes Mellitus The National Program for Prevention and Control of DM Strong Collaboration with NGOs (KDA) Centre of Excellence (Dasman Centre)

Tobacco Control The National Program for smoking Control is one of the oldest program

Obesity Control The National Program for Prevention and Control of Overweight and Obesity

National Program of Physical Activity According to the partnership conference of the WHO and the U.S. CDC in San Diego 2006, the State of Kuwait has been chosen as one of the 4 countries in the world for the preparation of National plans for physical activity.  

The National Cancer Prevention Program The role of PHC in cancer prevention includes: health education and early detection of cancer clinics. A comprehensive national campaign for raising public awareness about early detection of breast cancer was organized in 2008. Cancer registry is, also, an important component of the national program for prevention of cancer. "CAN" is a popular example of community based initiatives for prevention and control of cancer, one of the leading causes of death in Kuwait.

National Program for Prevention & Control of CVD Social Marketing (including HE) Early detection of risk factors; such as: high blood pressure, high blood lipids & smoking, through screening at PHC settings

Conclusion NCDs are global health and socio-economic threat that needs sustainable multi-sectoral intensive efforts and resources to achieve the target goals.   Close collaboration at National, Regional and International levels is needed for prevention and control of NCDs

Conclusion Big Government and non governmental efforts are exerted to control NCDs . Modern social approaches are needed. Kuwait is committed to building capacity, allocate resources and empowering other community partners in order to better control and prevention of Non Communicable Diseases.

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