Non-communicable disease rate has greater impact on country’s growth, than imagined

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Head of the Parliament Standing Committee on Social Policy, Education and Sciences L.Enkh-Amgalan MP received September 5 the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Mongolia, Dr Soe Nyunt U and a joint team of the United Nations specialized agencies. The UN members have agreed on the fact that the key factors of the major development problems in most countries are the rate of noncommunicable diseases, socio-economic growth and poverty. Therefroe, the team intends to launch a program on the combat against and prevention of noncommunicable diseases in Mongolia between September 7 and 11. The team is to complete studies and economic estimations on the intended frameworks for attracting investment and raising the policymakers’ awareness to early detection and prevention of noncommunicable diseases, Dr Soe informed the hosts it is the second visit for the team members to Mongolia, succeeding their research on the rate of Hepatitis B and C infections in Mongolia. “We formed this team in 2013 in order to support the UN activities. Noncommunicable diseases are divided in major parts, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, airway disease and diabetes. These diseases are mainly caused by substance abuses, unhealthy diet and lack movement”, noted Dr Nick Banatvala, Senior Adviser to the Assistant Director General, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, WHO. According to last year’s studies, Mongolia has increasing death rate caused by noncommunicable diseases and it is evident that the death rate is affecting economic difficulties. Especially, the 34 percent premature death in the population aged below 70 years is a critical indication. The major cause (43%) of the premature death was cardiovascular diseases, the main factor of which was smoking. Some 48% of Mongolian men smoke, which is a relatively higher rate of smoking compared with other countries. Also, 40% of men and a quarter of women has hypertension. Mongolia leads the Asian countries by obesity. The problem of noncommunicable diseases is not only a health sector concern, but also one of the governance and administration, highlighted Dr Nadia Rasheed, Team Leader for HIV, Health&Development of the UNDP. Mr L.Enkh-Amgalan MP expressed gratitude for the team visit to Mongolia and underlined their visit found an important timing being coincided with the development of four-year action plan of the Government of Mongolia. Objectives are included in the 2016-2020 action plan for compiling a nationwide program on combat against noncommunicable diseases, which comprises involving greater number of people in the early detection, diagnosis, treatment and care. The Government has set a goal to double the financing for the health sector, noted the MP. L.Enkh-Amgalan MP pledged the Standing committee’s support for the activities of the joint team in Mongolia.