INT'L CONFERENCE TO BE ORGANIZED

Ulaanbaatar, /MONTSAME/ An International Conference on "Prevention and Control of Major Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries" will be held in Chinggis Khaan Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, April 15-16, 2010
The International Conference is the first step of an international initiative being organized by the Ministry of Health of Mongolia, Millennium Challenge Account-Mongolia (MCA-M) and EPOS Health Management to meet the challenge of Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries (NCDI) in Mongolia. The initiative forms part of the framework of the WHO Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases which was endorsed by the Sixty-First World Assembly of WHO in April 2008. It also supports the National programs on prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries.
The main objectives of the conference are to share the experience of Mongolia in NCDI research; to facilitate international exchange of NCDI research experience and best practices of NCDI prevention and control; to promote international partnership in NCDI research; to promote inter sectoral cooperation in health promotion and NCDI prevention and control areas;and to define practical steps to be taken for NCDI prevention and control in Mongolia.
Globally, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), adult-onset diabetes (type II), cancer and chronic respiratory disease account for more than half of all deaths. The tragedy is that these diseases cause many to die too young from conditions that could have been prevented or controlled if detected early and treated properly. Every year, an estimated 14 million people die prematurely in developing countries from preventable heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and asthma. Injuries represent 12% of the global burden of disease and are the major cause of death among 15 to 40 year olds. More than half the people killed in traffic accidents are young adults between 15 and 44 years old.
Mongolia, too, is experiencing a high burden of non-communicable disease and injuries (NCDIs) within the working age population (15–60) due to rapid urbanization, other life style changes and an inadequate national response. This has a serious negative impact on family well-being and the productivity of the labor force.
The Government of Mongolia asked that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of United States to support the national strategy for preventing and controlling NCDIs. With MCC support, a five year health project was launched in September 2008 under the direction of Millennium Challenge Account-Mongolia (MCA-Mongolia). The project is managed by the Health Project Implementation Unit (PIU). The project’s long term objective is to increase the productive lives of Mongolians. The project’s more short term objective is to increase access to information and services about NCDIs, which will enable Mongolians to guard their health.
The project focuses on the four major NCDs and road traffic injuries, which are among the major causes of premature adult death and disability in Mongolia, which can be prevented and/or successfully treated. The four NCDs are CVDs, adult-onset diabetes (type II) and breast and cervical cancer. The target population is working age adults. Working with national and local government, private and voluntary institutions including national level non-governmental organizations (NGOs), citizen and community groups, universities and private enterprise, the project seeks to strengthen the national and individual response to NCDI.
Focusing at the primary health care level, the project is supporting activities which promote behavior change and other risk reduction actions, the early detection and treatment of the four diseases, greater prevention and improved response to road traffic accidents and other public and private responses to NCDI which enable citizens to adopt healthy life styles and take increased responsibility for their own health. The intention is to support evidence-based, cost-effective interventions at the primary health care or accident prevention level that can be sustained after the project ends in September 2013.
To provide decision makers and program implementers with information on the most effective, affordable and sustainable approaches to these major NCDIs, the project is also supporting short term applied research and special case studies.
S.Batbayar
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