Move to combat NCDs

Nadira Gunatilleke

A programme on mobilizing commitments and actions to address Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Health Ministry will be held at the BMICH (Mihikatha Medura), Colombo today under the patronage of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena. The programme named '4 by 4 by 4' deals with four main diseases, four risk factors and four commitments.

The four diseases are cardio vascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and respiratory diseases. The four risk factors are smoking, unhealthy diet, psychical inactivity and use of alcohol. The four commitments are - addressing risk factors through multi- stakeholder partnerships, strengthening the health system, supplying essential medicines and technologies and monitoring and evaluation leading to accountability.