Obaidi: all sectors must help check spread of chronic disease

It is vital all sectors in the country contribute to efforts aiming at checking the spread of chronic diseases, including the sectors of education, commerce and industry, transport, and environment, said Minister of Health Dr. Ali Al-Obaidi, Thursday. The minister was speaking to KUNA upon his return to the country after taking part in sessions of the "International Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Non-communicable Diseases in the Arab World and Middle East" held September 9-12 in Riyadh. He said the summiteers had agreed that all countries must draw plans that bring in such non-health sectors into their efforts in this regard by the year 2013. The plans should consider their reference the "Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases", approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). Al-Obaidi remarked that the conference stressed such action was vital to reduce the risk factors generated by non-health sectors that add to the ultimate burden on the health care systems and authorities. There was much stress on and encouragement of exploration of viable financing options, formation of alliances among civil society bodies and scientific and research institutions with the objective of supporting all social initiatives regarding protection against and awareness on non-communicable diseases. The activities of the conference, the minister who chaired one of the sessions added, came to reflect the participants' sincere desire to implement the UN's policies concerning the global fight against chronic and non-communicable disease with the ultimate aim of reducing related deaths and disabilities. The minister expressed gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for sponsoring the conference. He noted the level of participation with representatives including those of Arab League, WHO regional office, and other organizations attending stressed its importance.