Africa's next challenge

Could it be terrorism, drugs, or something else…? Actually, one of Africa’s biggest challenges goes unnoticed: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)-an issue accounting for 63% of all deaths worldwide, thus placing a huge social and economic burden on countries. 

For decades, global health leaders have focused their attention on infectious diseases-HIV/AIDS, pandemic influenza and tuberculosis. They pushed for vaccines, better preventive measures, better access to treatment and more investment in health systems – to control the spread of germs and diseases everywhere in the world.

But a WHO report highlights that NCDs like heart disease, respiratory disease, diabetes and cancer, are the world’s leading killers. It is estimated that in 2004, NCDs were responsible for 28% of deaths in Africa, and this is projected to increase by 27% over the next ten years. Approximately 33% of deaths due to NCDs occur in persons aged less than 60 (one-third of all NCDs deaths in Africa), making NCDs a significant contributor to premature death and disability in Africa. But also, the report estimates 30 million lives could be saved over the next decade by simple diet and lifestyle changes.

The United Nations has realized that NCDs are a critical global health problem and in particular for developing countries where there are so many other competing priorities. Next week, the first UN Global Summit on Non- Communicable Diseases will aim to enlighten the world about the effects of NCDs on healthcare worldwide and implore Member States to adopt a global plan to tackle this problem. Urgent and appropriate measures required include: creating public awareness for citizens to break bad lifestyle habits that would help avoid the onset of NCDs; strengthening the continent’s healthcare systems by increasing access to high-quality, low cost medicines and vaccines;  expanding partnerships in the health sector and addressing the issue of poverty- which is a major hindrance to fight against poor health in Africa and is often regarded as enemy number one to global social progress, peace and security.

NCDs are also a fundamental challenge to Africa’s development; they place enormous costs on the society and hinder MDG achievement. As key officials try to agree on meeting specific goals by a specific amount and date, finding money to meet any goals could be an even bigger challenge given the global economic crisis.