The Non-Communicable Diseases National Committee (NCDNC) convened today (Sunday) at the Ministry of Health Headquarters its fourth meeting during this year 2018 under the chair of H.E. Dr. Ali bin Talib Al-Hinai, Undersecretary of Ministry of Health for Planning Affairs in the presence of all Committee's members.

The meeting discussed the report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the progress made in NCDs indicators. The report pointed out that the Sultanate has made significant strides in the treatment of non-communicable diseases especially diabetes, hearts diseases, cancer diseases and chronic respiratory diseases. However, more efforts must be exerted to protect the community from the risk factors causing these diseases including the tobacco use, unhealthy food and physical inactivity. Therefore, the Committee has worked on preparing an integrated sectoral plan to handle these risk factors, where the other non-health sectors play a significant role in reducing these factors.

The Committee has also highlighted the visit of the WHO expert regarding the required training on calculating the estimated cost of the NCDs plan in order to be accredited by the competent authorities. It is hoped that this plan will help to reduce the risk factors associated with the non-communicable diseases, as well as raising the community's awareness on the risk of exposure to one of the tobacco products, eating unhealthy food and physical inactivity.