Leveraging Existing Health Platforms to Expand NCD Services
By: Peter Lamptey, Rebecca Dirks and Inoussa Kabore
The amplified interest in the global epidemic of non-communicable disease (NCD) is well-founded and long overdue. NCDs are responsible for the largest burden of disease globally. They account for 60% of the 57 million deaths worldwide, 80 percent of which occur in low- and middle- income countries. Since a significant proportion of deaths due to NCDs are premature (people younger than 60-years-old), they place considerable constraints on economic and social development.
Given limitations in funding and human resources, as well as the double burden of infectious diseases in many low- and middle- income countries, integration of NCD services into existing health platforms offers a cost-effective and efficient approach to scaling up NCD services. Natural linkages between NCDs and their risk factors exist with health programs targeting HIV and other infectious diseases, sexual and reproductive health, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, and nutrition.
Though many vertical health programs have improved individual elements of health systems, substantial weakness of overall health system remain in most low- and middle- income countries. A strategic country-driven improvement of the health system to address a multiplicity of health issues including NCD is more likely to create efficient, sustainable and cost-effective national health programs. NCD integration would support improved supply chain management; a better financed and more motivated health workforce; an improved laboratory infrastructure; and a comprehensive health management information system.
