26/04/2023
Communique issued at the end of the Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA) Webinar on the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases in West Africa, which held virtually (Zoom) on Saturday 25th, March 2023.
Preamble
The Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA) established in 1952, is a non-governmental organization with its main objective being to assist and strengthen the capacities of National Medical Associations within the Commonwealth of Nations.
In light of the above, the Vice President (West Africa Region) of the CMA, Dr Roland Osayande Aigbovo and his Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the webinar organized the above stated session to identify the root causes of the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in West Africa, actions taken so far at combating the diseases, and the need to strengthen the capacities of member nations in curtailing them in order to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
The theme for the webinar was “An Overview of the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases in West Africa: Time to Bridge the Gap”. The theme speakers were drawn from three different West African countries who delivered their various lectures excellently. They are:
1. Assoc. Prof. D**e Ojji – College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja and the Lead Investigator, Cardiovascular Research Unit, University of Abuja, Nigeria
2. Dr Efua Commeh – Ag. Program Manager, NCD Control Program, Ghana Health Service, Ghana
3. Dr Omar Badije – Program Manager, NCD and National focal Point for To***co Control, Ministry of Health, The Gambia
The subthemes were Physicians Burnout and its effects on medical practice and Impact of the Environment and Lifestyle on NCDs delivered by Dr Ruth Owusu -Antwi, Consultant Psychiatrist/Head of Department, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana and President, Psychiatric Association of Ghana, and Dr Obianma Onya, Chief Consultant Family Physician and Director, University of Portharcourt Lifestyle Medicine Centre, Nigeria respectively.
Over 1200 participants registered for the webinar with hundreds of participants attending. The Special Guest of Honor was Dr Osahon Enabulele, President, World Medical Association (WMA), Chief Host was Dr Muraga Raj, President of CMA, and the Host was Dr Roland Aigbovo, Vice President (West Africa Region) CMA. The moderator, who made great sacrifices was Prof Chima Onoka, Director Institute for Excellence in Health Care and Leadership.
The LOC was chaired by Dr Eno Eloho Ekop and other members include Dr Theresa Ibebunjo, Dr Sebastine Oiwoh, Dr Nurudden Umar, Dr Ibrahim Diggi, Dr kaka Sanda Abubakar, Dr Oluwaseyi Ojo, Dr Christabel Ochi, Dr Samuel Okpechi, Dr Marian Ezeokeke and Dr Richard Serlomey.
OBSERVATIONS
It was observed that NCDs have led to 41 million deaths globally with more mortality in low and middle-income countries. A comparison between the global and the African burden of NCDs was stated, with emphasis on the economic burden and the impact of poverty on NCDs with the following outcomes
1. In Nigeria, the rising risk factors and prevalence of NCDs were enumerated with the major contributors to the burden of NCDs being cardiovascular diseases, Diabetes, cancer, and respiratory disease.
2. In Ghana, the risk factors are on the rise but a lot of interventions are being implemented to reduce the menace. It was noted that such efforts are still largely inadequate. The GHS has adopted the following models: strategic partnership with and integration of relevant stakeholders, development of a National Health Policy on healthy living, building Primary Health Care, increased health surveillance and breast and cervical cancer screening.
3. For the Gambia, almost all households are directly or indirectly affected by NCDs, and also concurred on the rising prevalence and risk factors. The following strategy is being implemented to to reduce the NCDs burden: the Expansion of NCD Clinics, Multisectoral collaboration, Road Safety Strategy, and To***co and alcohol control. The major challenge facing the Gambia in combating NCDs are inadequate funding and insufficient health system capacity.
4. Physicians are at risk of developing NCDs because of poor remuneration, poor working environment/conditions and poverty that could lead to mental and physical ailment. The following ways of handling stress and burnout were suggested which include, having adequate sleep of eight (8) hours daily, good nutrition, leisure and exercise.
It was stated that poor sleep by doctors and other healthcare professionals who engage in call-duty is a risk factor for poor work performance and susceptibility to NCDs.
5. The environment and individual lifestyle are closely linked to NCDs and it include lack of exercise, consumption of unhealthy foods and other unhealthy habits are closely linked to the increasing morbidity and mortality from NCDs.
The strengthening of the health sector is key towards achieving Universal Health Coverage especially in the low- and medium income countries with emphasis on prevention at the primary level of care. This can be achieved with the development of low-technology solutions to address high-technology problems.
It was stated that there are various healthy lifestyle modification programmes which include but not limited to regular exercise, consumption of healthy food, good sleep etc.
RESOLUTIONS
After exhaustive deliberation and brainstorming, it was resolved that the task of reducing the increasing rate of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in West Africa requires a multifaceted approach that involves addressing risk factors, improving access to healthcare, and promoting healthy lifestyles.
The following recommendations were made to strengthen the capacities of member countries in the Commonwealth of Nations in combatting NCDS. They include
1. Increase public awareness: The first step to addressing NCDs is to raise awareness among the general population about the risk factors and warning signs of NCDs. This can be done through health education campaigns, community outreach programs, and media campaigns.
2. Improve access to healthcare: Many people in West Africa lack access to basic healthcare services. Improving access to healthcare, including preventative services like screenings and vaccinations, can help reduce the incidence of NCDs.
3. Address risk factors: A major contributor to the growing burden of NCDs in West Africa is the high prevalence of risk factors such as to***co use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption. Addressing these risk factors through policies such as to***co taxes, restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods, and promoting physical activity can help reduce the incidence of NCDs.
4. Strengthen health systems: Many health systems in West Africa are weak and lack the capacity to effectively prevent and manage NCDs. Strengthening health systems by investing in infrastructure, training healthcare workers, and improving supply chains can help ensure that people with NCDs receive the care they need.
5. Promote healthy lifestyles: Encouraging people to adopt healthy lifestyles, such as regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and avoiding to***co and excessive alcohol consumption, can help prevent NCDs.
6. Foster collaboration: Addressing the growing burden of NCDs requires collaboration between governments, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and the private sector. By working together, stakeholders can develop and implement effective strategies to reduce the incidence of NCDs in West Africa. –
APPRECIATION
On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Medical Association, I want to Specially appreciate the WMA President Dr Osahon Enabulele for his participation and support for the webinar, the President and Executive of CMA for their unalloyed support.
The Presidents of the Nigerian Medical Association, Ghana Medical Association, Medical and Dental Association of the Gambia and Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association for their contributions and support towards the webinar
I also want to appreciate all our resource persons and the moderator made great sacrifices even at short notice and added colour and value to the webinar; I am eternally grateful.
Special thanks to the LOC for their hard work and persistence which led to the successful outcome of the webinar; congratulations to everyone and also to the numerous participants; we are most grateful for your time and contributions.
Thank you
Dr Roland Osayande Aigbovo
Vice President (West Africa Region)
Commonwealth Medical Association
