The Directorate General of Primary of Healthcare at the Ministry of Health (MOH), represented by the Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, and in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO), launched today (Monday) "The National Monitoring Framework for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases".

The launching ceremony was held under the auspices of His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Saidi, Minister of Health, in the presence of H.E Dr. Jean Jabbour, WHO Representative to the Sultanate and H.E. Dr. Fatima Al Ajmi, MOH’s Undersecretary for Administrative, Financial, and Planning Affairs. In addition, a team of experts in the WHO Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and a number of stakeholders in the health sectors and officials of the various ministries in the Sultanate attended virtually.

In the launching ceremony, the Minister of Health reaffirmed the seriousness of NCDs remarking that studies indicate that more than half of the population in the Sultanate suffers from overweight and obesity, and 33% of individuals suffer from high blood pressure. More than 2,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Al Saidi stressed that the first step to control NCDs and reduce their burden is to integrate methods of prevention into development policies through strengthening policies, developing capacities and supporting efforts to develop effective prevention mechanisms, which includes strengthening monitoring systems to provide key data to develop appropriate interventions.

The Health Minister in his word hoped that Omani national monitoring framework for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases would be a step towards ensuring organized and effective multi-sectoral cooperation to achieve the goals set in the national and global agendas thus ensuring further progress towards universal health coverage and sustainable development.

The event further included the WHO-Oman office address where Dr. Jabbour affirmed that close monitoring remains an integrated approach to treating non-communicable diseases. Tracking progress, providing the required information in a timely manner, and enabling appropriate planning at the national level are among the most important ways to coexist with these diseases. In addition, evidence-based planning is key to activating the required political will with the ability to intensify efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases as a major health priority.

Who representative in Oman highlighted the country’s leading role in NCDs control and its keenness to prevent premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, applauding meanwhile the efforts of MOH and all parties involved in developing this significant framework.

This national framework, which is an integral part of the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, was prepared to reinforce the accountability and commitment of different sectors in implementing the various recommended interventions for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The structure of this framework is based on various local, regional and global high priority indicators related to the control of the most common non-communicable diseases (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and mental health), in addition to the indicators related to reducing the exposure to risk factors associated with these diseases (e.g., tobacco use, alcohol use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and air pollution).

It is noteworthy that this work is considered one of the pioneering achievements in the region, and a mainstay of the NCD surveillance system in the Sultanate. Beside the operational definition of each indicator, all indicators are arranged in logical order to help in assessing the progress in achieving the desired targets, and identifying the gaps in implementing the various interventions.

As this framework is being implemented, it is expected to raise the awareness of health policymakers, and reinforce the accountability of relevant stakeholders; to responsibly take corrective measures and strengthen effective actions, and to successfully achieve the global, regional and national goals and targets. Obviously, this will lead to accelerating progress towards development; as a world free from the burden of non-communicable diseases is a precondition for, and an indicator of, achieving all dimensions of sustainable development.

The impact of implementing this work is in full and complete alignment with Oman Vision 2040; in which each and every Omani has a role to play in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and where the health of the people and society is among the top Vision’s priorities, without which there is no guarantee to achieve our future directions.