By Lucas Barasa
February 3 2009
A major conference on combating chronic diseases is scheduled to start in Uganda on Tuesday.
The meeting will bring together ministers and senior official from governments in Africa and Asia, leaders from academia, non-governmental organisations and the private sector to deliberate on how to influence policies to combat chronic diseases in low and middle income countries on the two continents.
As part of its commitment to health in the developing regions, the Aga Khan University, in collaboration with World Health Organisation and Uganda’s ministry of Health, will host the three-day conference in Kampala.
Aga Khan University (EA), resource development and public relations regional manager Eunice Mwangi said that more deaths occur worldwide from chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease than all infectious diseases put together.
Eighty per cent of the deaths from chronic diseases are reported in the developing regions of Asia and Africa, Ms Mwangi’s statement added. Most deaths from these diseases remain preventable.
Most low- and middle-income countries are however ill-equipped to cope with the rapidly rising demands of chronic illnesses.
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/524474/-/u1v8aa/-/
Related article: http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Chronic_diseases_attract_global_attention_79343.shtml
Ismailimail 
Kudos AKU for pioneering efforts to the silent killer in developing world. We throw our weight behind you.
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