WHO hails Oman's efforts to stem non-communicable diseases

Efforts made by the Sultanate to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart and lung disease, cancer and diabetes have been hailed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a statement published on its website.

The WHO said that since 2015, the Sultanate has succeeded in achieving a 10 per cent reduction in the salt content of bread in the main bakeries. In 2016, this initiative has set more ambitious goal of reducing salt content by 20 per cent in bread and expanded its focus to cheese as well.

WHO said that the Ministry of Health in the Sultanate had set up a national team to monitor progress in reducing salt and fat in food products. It hoped that this would help to establish a basic measure of salt consumption.

Oman was one of several countries selected by WHO to receive integrated support for rapid progress in achieving nine global targets for prevention and control of NCDs, including a 25 per cent reduction in NCD deaths by 2025 and realising objectives in relation to NCDs in an agenda for sustainable development 2030.

Guided by Nizwa Healthy Lifestyle Project, the oldest community health promotion project in the Sultanate established in 1999, many community groups, such as the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP), regional municipal and private sector’s companies have joined forces to reduce the risks posed by NCDs and thus improving health.

The WHO added that earlier this year, Nizwa project launched two new health promotion activities, the tobacco-free market in the traditional market in Muscat, as well as the initiative of health food restaurants.

WHO pointed out that the health food initiative in Nizwa is the first of its kind in the Sultanate and is one of the few in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

It affirmed that three restaurants have volunteered to pilot locally developed guidelines for healthy food options on their menus that are low in salt, fat and sugar.

It added that the initiative also includes providing lessons on healthy food preparations for staff.

The WHO said that to ensure that these measures reach young people, the Sultanate has included health education in all curricula in recognition of the fact that young people can be strong agents of change and also benefit greatly from health promotion messages.

It pointed out that the Sultanate is currently considering another proposal to reduce saturated fat, especially palm oil in Omani foods.

WHO said that the Sultanate's continued success in combating NCDs would depend on strong leadership and a cross-sectoral approach including all levels of society.

It affirmed that it would also require patience and support to ensure that pilot projects could be expanded at the right pace.

Dr. Asmus Hammerich, Director of NCDs in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office said it was encouraging to see this real commitment from food and beverage industry in the Sultanate in an endeavor to create a change to improve health.

Source: Timesofoman