World Diabetes Day, a global campaign to combat the epidemic of diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), is being rolled out across 160 countries, reaching over 1 billion people, to draw attention to a fact of paramount importance: diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world.
Along with other NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes disproportionately affects people in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, over 85% of premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases occur in LMICs.
According to World Health Organization Diabetes country profiles (2016), in Bangladesh diabetes affects 8% of the population and accounts for 3% of total deaths in the country. NCDs tend to be of long duration and are the result of combined genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioral factors, but most importantly: they are preventable.
To better understand the current availability and capacity of services for NCDs for the host communities and Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, WHO conducted a NCD Service Availability Assessment in the district. The assessment team visited 90 of the 569 health facilities in Cox’s Bazar to put together a comprehensive picture of human resources, training status, health services, essential medicines, tools and technologies, referral system for emergency and palliative conditions.
“Over a course of 2 months, our team visited the health facilities and learned first-hand what are the major needs to better prevent, detect and treat NCDs in Cox’s Bazar among these communities. Major needs include strengthening training programs for capacity building on national protocols for NCD management and health promotion, ensuring continuous supply of essential medicines and equipment, and engaging communities”, says Dr. Khalid El Tahir, WHO Sub-Office Incident Manager.
In response, WHO has conducted 4-day trainings on the Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions for Primary Health Care for 102 primary healthcare including those working in government health facilities. The training builds capacity of healthcare workers to prevent and manage cardiovascular disease and diabetes through a team-based approach. WHO is distributing medicines and medical devices for essential NCD interventions in health facilities, has developed communication messages on NCD risk factors, and is going to train 300 community health workers’ supervisors to address and prevent risk factors for NCDs.
(WHO Bangladesh/ Tatiana Almeida - Dr. Nazia Sultana receiving her certificate from Dr. Khalid El Tahir, WHO Sub-Office Incident Manager)
“I want to create a NCDs corner at my clinic and I would like to provide NCDs quality care. This training was very important for me”, says Dr. Nazia Sultana, Clinic Supervisor at Relief International Clinic, Camp 3 (Modhurchara), after completing her training on WHO Package of Essential NCDs (PEN) interventions.
(WHO Bangladesh/ Tatiana Almeida - NCD/PEN participants during the final assessment exam)
At a BRAC facility in Ukhiya, Dr. Md. Rasel, also trained by WHO on NCD detection and management, feels more confident while on duty. “Since my participation in the training I feel more confident when treating patients with noncommunicable diseases, especially those with hypertension and diabetes, it is a great responsibility”.
(WHO Bangladesh/ Tatiana Almeida - Md. Rasel, Medical Assistant at a BRAC facility in Camp E2, Ukhia)
Last week WHO delivered NCDs essential medicines and medical devices for NCDs management to Moheshkhali Upazila Health Complex and 7 community clinics in the island to medically assist 400,000 people from the host community.
(WHO Bangladesh - WHO Laboratory Expert Debashish Paul giving demonstration to the community health care providers on use of glucometer and urine strips supplied in Moheshkhali Upazila)
While NCDs are often associated with ageing, available data indicates that people tend to develop these diseases at a younger age and die sooner than in countries of high income. In Bangladesh half of deaths from NCDs are occurring in individuals under the age of 70 years.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes NCDs as a major challenge for sustainable development. Countries have committed to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third, by 2030. WHO’s leadership and coordination includes promoting and monitoring global action on NCDs.