Disease Control – Non-Communicable Diseases

The Ministry of Health decided on the formation of its of eight programme, Disease Control/Non-Communicable Diseases in 2021. with its two sub-programmes:
This programme specifically addresses the major concerns of morbidity and mortality due to NCDS and Mental Health related issues. This programme has its purview to prevent, detect, control and treat non-communicable diseases. There are discussions taking place on the disease profiles, epidemiologic trends, access, and deficiencies in service deliveries among other matters including financial and monitoring.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) account for approximately 41 million deaths each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. Each year, more than 15 million people die from an NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years; 85% of these “premature” deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, and 77% of all NCD deaths are in low- and middle-income countries.
In the Caribbean and Latin America, the burden of NCDs is mainly due to illness and deaths from a wide range of diseases which include cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes and are attributable to risk factors, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, harmful use of alcohol and tobacco, air pollution, stress and overweight/obesity.
Additionally, mental health disorders continue to place a heavy burden on many countries within the Region of the Americas, contributing to a high rate of unintentional and intentional injuries, premature mortality, and disability. In addition, the stigma, social exclusion, and discrimination against people with mental health disorders, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic have further exacerbated this public health concern. The country’s top two mental health conditions reported in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are depressive disorders (707/100,000 DALYs) and anxiety disorders (313/100,000 DALYs) (PAHO, 2021). This programme aims to ensure effective and efficient surveillance, prevention, management and control of non-communicable diseases through intersectoral and international collaboration.