| Date: 13/09/2012 Time: 01:15:00 PM |
It is vital all sectors in the country contribute
to efforts aiming at checking the spread of chronic diseases, including the
sectors of education, commerce and industry, transport, and environment, said
Minister of Health Dr. Ali Al-Obaidi, Thursday.
The minister was speaking to KUNA upon his return to the country after
taking part in sessions of the "International Conference on Healthy Lifestyles
and Non-communicable Diseases in the Arab World and Middle East" held
September 9-12 in Riyadh.
He said the summiteers had agreed that all countries must draw plans that
bring in such non-health sectors into their efforts in this regard by the year
2013. The plans should consider their reference the "Global Strategy for the
Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases", approved by the World
Health Organization (WHO).
Al-Obaidi remarked that the conference stressed such action was vital to
reduce the risk factors generated by non-health sectors that add to the
ultimate burden on the health care systems and authorities.
There was much stress on and encouragement of exploration of viable
financing options, formation of alliances among civil society bodies and
scientific and research institutions with the objective of supporting all
social initiatives regarding protection against and awareness on
non-communicable diseases.
The activities of the conference, the minister who chaired one of the
sessions added, came to reflect the participants' sincere desire to implement
the UN's policies concerning the global fight against chronic and
non-communicable disease with the ultimate aim of reducing related deaths and
disabilities.
The minister expressed gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for sponsoring the conference. He noted
the level of participation with representatives including those of Arab
League, WHO regional office, and other organizations attending stressed its
importance. |