National Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases 2015-2020

ABSTRACT

NCDs are the main cause of mortality and morbidity in Suriname, as is the case in most of the countries in the world. At the UN High Level Meeting in September 2011, Suriname endorsed the UN resolution on NCDs, immediately after which the government assigned a special budget to the MOH to support prevention and control activities in the area of NCDs. This illustrates that the government takes up its own responsibility in the fight against the epidemic of NCDs. One of the first priorities has been the development of this National Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs which provides a framework for a coordinated and integrated approach during the coming years in the fight against NCDs in our country. The elements of the NCD plan focus on public awareness of the NCD burden, healthy lifestyle promotion, health systems strengthening, strengthening of the legal framework, strengthening of surveillance and operational research and the strengthening of monitoring and evaluation systems. For the coming years the priority NCDs namely cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease which account for 60% of mortality nationwide will be targeted. Another priority health area which also will be included is mental health and substance abuse. The fight against NCDs cannot be successful without a strong intersectoral collaboration which is crucial for healthy lifestyle promotion and risk factor reduction. This plan calls for a collective effort through the establishment of structured intersectoral cooperation with other ministries, private sector and civil society. Periodic evaluations are an essential part of the fight of all diseases and specifically of NCDs which require more complex interventions than the communicable diseases. This NCD plan is a dynamic document which will be periodically revised in order to enable us to keep on track towards the goals set. As health sector and as a nation we have to join hands, be accountable and share responsibility to be able to really tackle the burden of NCDs. We owe it to the next generation.