16 February 2009 AKIpress
Kyrgyzstan will take control over chronic diseases growth,” Deputy Minister of Health, Abdikarimov S. commented on his participation at the First Asia-Africa Summit on Chronic Disease held in Kampala, Uganda. The Kyrgyz delegation also included Sanjar Isaev, Social Development Department expert, Prime Minister’s Office.
The 3-day conference on combating non-communicable diseases was organized by Aga Khan University in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) and Uganda’s Ministry of Health in response to an increase in non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, chronic respiratory diseases and hypertension are now responsible annually for 60% of global deaths and 80% of deaths in low and middle income countries.
According to the WHO there will be an overall increase in deaths by 17 percent across the world due to chronic diseases in 10 years.
The problem is relevant for the Kyrgyz Republic , where more than 17 thousand people die of heart diseases annually, according to the official statistics.
“Chronic diseases cause substantial losses in national income by affecting productive labor force and deepening poverty; yet majority of the diseases are preventable for as little as one dollar per person per year. Therefore participation of Kyrgyzstan is envisaged as crucial to strengthening capacity of the government to reduce social and economic burdens of chronic diseases,” stated Nurjehan Mawani , Aga Khan Development Network Representative for the Kyrgyz Republic (AKDN), who accompanied the Kyrgyz Delegation to the Summit .
“With support of AKDN, Kyrgyzstan has joined an alliance of Asian and African countries that will facilitate the implementation of the WHO’s Global Non-Communicable Diseases Action Plan. Together with other member states of the alliance, Kyrgyzstan will develop multi-sectoral simple approaches such as changes in diet, lifestyle supported by wise public policy to reduce the risk of chronic disease,” Mr. Abdikarimov S. added.
The Summit drew together some 100 delegates from over 25 countries with several countries represented at the ministerial level. The Summit participants also included leaders from academia, civil society, the international NGO community and private sector.
Chartered in 1993, the Aga Khan University is Pakistan ‘s first private, autonomous university and its charter calls upon it to serve the Muslim Ummah and developing countries. The University is recognized for its research, teaching and service at an international standard in medicine, nursing, teacher education, medical care and community service. The university has campuses and programmes in eight countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, including Faculties of Health Sciences with a Nursing School, Medical College and teaching hospitals in Karachi and Nairobi, Institutes for Educational Development in Karachi and Dar es Salaam, an Examination Board and an Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations.
His Highness the Aga Khan is founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private, non-denominational development agencies working to empower communities and individuals to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East. The Network’s nine development agencies focus on social, cultural and economic development for all citizens, regardless of gender, origin or religion. The AKDN’s underlying ethic is compassion for the vulnerable in society. Its annual budget for social development is US$ 500 million. In Kyrgyzstan , more than 600 people, most of who are local citizens, work within AKDN and its various agencies.
Ismailimail 