NCDs account for 70% of total deaths in Oman
This is part of the results of the Oman National Non-Communicable Diseases and their Risk Factors Survey carried out in 2017
The Ministry of Health (MoH) announced the results of the Oman National Non-Communicable Diseases and their Risk Factors Survey at Al Shafaq Club on Wednesday under the patronage of H E Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Obaid al Sa’eedi, Minister of Health, in the presence of Dr Akjemal Magtymova, representative of World Health Organization (WHO) in Oman, and a number of senior MoH officials.
MoH, represented by the Studies & Research Centre of the Directorate General of Planning and Studies, carried out the survey in 2017 across all the governorates of the sultanate.
The survey is the biggest and widest to collect comprehensive information on risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD) in the sultanate. It provides essential information on key NCD indicators by age groups, sex and governorates.
NCDs are the cause of most deaths worldwide, including cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks and stroke), cancers and chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma), besides diabetes. Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths (17.9mn people annually), followed by cancers (9mn), respiratory diseases (3.9mn) and diabetes (1.6mn). These four groups of diseases account for over 80 per cent of all premature NCD deaths.
Dr Adhra Hilal al Mawali, director of Studies & Research Centre and chairperson of the survey team, presented the main findings of the survey - the modifiable behavioural and biological risk factors.
According to Dr Akjemal, the STEP-wise approach to Surveillance (STEPS), which is a simple and standardised method for collecting, analysing and disseminating data, was used for the survey. The STEPS information relates to key factors used globally to prevent and control the burden of NCDs.
She pointed out that in Oman, NCDs are responsible for approximately 70 per cent of total deaths. In order to address the growing burden of NCDs, the sultanate adopted the National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan for NCD Prevention & Control, which was released earlier this year.
She added that Oman is moving towards the ‘Whole of the Government’ approach in its political commitment to achieve the NCD Global targets by 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The survey of the NCD risk factors was carried out on a sample of 9,045 Omani and nonOmani families across all the governorates in the sultanate in collaboration with the MoH’s concerned departments and the WHO.
The survey came out with several recommendations, including the need to prioritise NCD prevention and control in the governorates as well as nationally.