WASHINGTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a new initiative to expand 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 occurred 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 in incorporating NCDs into primary health care and expanding 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 percent of lives lost. An estimated 240 million adults in the area 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 diagnosing and treating 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 percent of countries reporting having guidelines for the management of all four common NCDs, and 26 percent 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 of the capacity of health authorities to plan and implement comprehensive NCD services in primary health care, increase the ability of primary care services to deliver total 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 for preventing disease in future generations and preventing complications and premature death in those currently living with one or more NCDs.
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