WHO warns of ‘tsunami’ of NCDs

MANILA, Philippines - The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday warned of an “impending tsunami” of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — the biggest killer of Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH) — in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Speaking before the First ASEAN Regional Forum on NCDs, being hosted by the DOH, Dr. Julie Hall, WHO country representative in the Philippines, said the global trend for NCDs is “mirrored” in the region.

Hall said the region accounts for 61.5 percent of total deaths from NCDs worldwide.

“About 30 percent of these deaths occur in people aged 15-59, thus affecting large portions of the highly productive labor force of Southeast Asia,” she added.

And contrary to the “popular belief” that NCDs are only concerns of the rich and the old, about 80 percent of these deaths are happening in low and middle income countries

“With NCDs, the disadvantaged populations are the hardest hit, with death rates inversely proportional to a country’s gross national income. Families shoulder the financial burden, but entire economies suffer as well,” Hall said.

While the Philippines could become a role model for passing the sin tax law and the DOH’s Pilipinas Go4Health program against tobacco, unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle and alcohol, she said it should address the high salt intake of Filipinos.

“The salt intake of the population is twice as much salt recommended by the WHO,” she said.

WHO has also been campaigning for the replacement of trans fat with polyunsaturated fat in food.

According to DOH Secretary Enrique Ona, the average salt consumption of Filipinos was about 10 grams/capita/day, twice the recommended amount of the WHO.

“High salt consumption was noted to be more prevalent in rural areas but overweight and obesity were notably higher in urban areas,” Ona said.

NCDs are now the primary killers of Filipinos, he added.

“To this day, heart disease and stroke remains the leading causes of mortality, comprising 35 percent of total deaths among Filipinos. Philippine Health Statistics data show that in 2009, about 167,000 Filipinos died from heart disease and stroke,” he said.

ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Alice Bala has emphasized the need to make health the “center of development” in the region.

“It is not only ensuring that there is food on the table but we also have to ensure the safety of the food supply… If the people in ASEAN are healthy in body and in mind, our growth and productivity are also guaranteed,” Bala said.

The three-day forum will culminate with the presentation of the Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases in ASEAN, adopted last week by the region’s health ministers in Brunei Darussalam.

The declaration was aimed at controlling NCDs by 2025, the target adopted during the World Health Assembly in Geneva early this year.