Washington, DC, September 28, 2018 (PAHO) - Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment for those living with, or at risk of developing a non-communicable disease and self-care are keys to avoid complications and prevent premature death, and health officials from Cuba, Jamaica, Panama and Paraguay today shared their experiences in improving the health of people with these diseases.
In a side event during the 29th Pan American Sanitary Conference focused on "Strengthening Health Services to Improve the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases," PAHO Director Dr. Carissa F. Etienne said, "With 5.2 million deaths annually across the Americas from noncommunicable diseases, this is a good time to consider how to prevent premature deaths from, and improve care for those with an NCD in respect to universal health coverage." She added "It is not rocket science. It requires an integrated care approach with very strong primary care services."
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancer and diabetes, kill some 5.2 million people in the Americas every year. Hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of developing one of these diseases or have already been diagnosed and need care and treatment.
Dr. Miguel Mayo, Panama's Health Minister, outlined his country's approach to screening and treating people with diabetes and hypertension, which he called "socially transmissible diseases." The most important aspect, he said, is that half the individuals screened did not know they had a disease. "This is a group of people who are not receiving treatment because we live in a culture of curing, not preventing."
Dr. Marcia Cobas of Cuba described systematic activities in her country to control high blood pressure, using education, treatment and primary care to deal with risk factors and dealing with each patient in an integrated, comprehensive manner.
"We know that improving NCD management begins with strong primary health care, with an essential package of services for prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment, and with clear referral mechanisms for secondary and tertiary care," said Dr. Etienne. "Evidence-based guidelines are critical to ensuring standardized and quality care, as well as increasing access and rational use of essential drugs to treat these diseases," he said.
Measures that participants suggested to strengthen management of these diseases include community initiatives, education and awareness, training primary care health workers, strengthening information systems for better patient care and monitoring, and others.
Links