WASHINGTON, Jamaica – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a new initiative aimed at expanding access to non-communicable disease (NCD) services within primary health care systems.
PAHO director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa , speaking at the launch of the “Better Care for NCDs: Accelerating Actions in Primary Health Care,” initiative, said ensuring primary health care services to address NCDs that are “high quality, safe, comprehensive, integrated, accessible, available and affordable for everyone must be our guiding principle”.
“This initiative aims to accelerate the integration of NCD management into primary health care services, building upon existing efforts with a steadfast focus on reaching the underserved, guided by the principles of equity, so that no one is left behind,” he added.
The launch took place on the sidelines of PAHO’s 60th Directing Council, which ends here on Friday.
During the launch Chile, El Salvador, and Jamaica showcased their advances on how to incorporate NCDs into primary health care and on how to expand services to reach more people.
NCDs, principally cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes, are the leading causes of death in the region of the Americas, accounting for 81 per cent of lives lost. An estimated 240 million adults in the region live with at least one NCD, requiring access to continuous care, delivered through primary health care.
Dr. Barbosa said that while the Americas has made, “commendable progress in addressing NCDs,” significant gaps persist in access, coverage, and quality of health services for the diagnosis and treatment of NCDs, which were further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
PAHO said as it stands, no country in the region, including the Caribbean, is on track to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) nine global NCD targets by 2025, with only 57 per cent of countries reporting having guidelines for the management of all four common NCDs, and 26 per cent reporting offering drug therapy, including for diabetes control, and counseling for eligible individuals at high risk, to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
PAHO said to address this, the Better Care for NCDs initiative aims to ensure the strengthening the capacity of health authorities to plan and implement comprehensive NCD services in primary health care; increase the capacity of primary care services to deliver comprehensive quality NCD screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up as well as strengthen data collection and monitoring of NCD diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of care.
As part of the initiative, the PAHO Regional Revolving Funds will offer member states an NCD bundle, to enable countries to access high-quality, affordable medicines to treat diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory diseases, as well as diagnostic tests and vital equipment such as blood glucose monitoring devices and blood pressure monitoring devices.
Dr. Barbosa said access to NCD care within primary health care systems is vital, not only for preventing disease in future generations, but also for preventing complications and premature death in those currently living with one of more NCD.
