Health experts have issued a stark warning that Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) could become the next global pandemic following COVID-19 if immediate measures are not implemented.
Over 94,000 people die annually from NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, kidney failures, and cancers, and current efforts to combat this silent crisis remain insufficient.
During the JoyNews National Dialogue on NCDs held on Thursday, experts called for urgent and proactive government intervention.
Prof. Gordon Abekah-Nkrumah of the Department of Health Services Management at the University of Ghana Business School emphasized the need for a multidimensional approach to tackling NCDs.
He highlighted that effective regulations and policies are essential to address the root causes of these diseases.
“NCDs are the next pandemic. How are we communicating this to the elites who have the power to make decisions when it comes to resource allocation, such as the Ministry of Finance and cabinet?
“Do they see NCDs as the next COVID, which may necessitate the President addressing the nation every fortnight and holding meetings all over the place?
“The way we package this message and align it with their own incentives, in terms of how this determines their electoral fortunes, will be very important,” Prof. Abekah-Nkrumah stated.
He stressed the importance of aligning the fight against NCDs with the interests of decision-makers.
Effectively communicating the severity of NCDs and their potential impact on the nation’s health and economy is crucial for garnering the necessary support and resources.
Director of Health Systems at PharmAccess, Dr Kwasi Boahene, also painted a grim picture of NCDs in Ghana, revealing that by 2030, the country may spend about six billion dollars annually to tackle these chronic diseases.
The call to action from health experts is clear: immediate and strategic measures are needed to prevent NCDs from becoming the next pandemic, with a focus on comprehensive policies and effective communication with decision-makers.
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