Situation analysis
NCDs are the major causes of death and disability in Jordan. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) alone are reported to be responsible for more than 35% of deaths. Cancer is also one of the leading causes of mortality. There is a high prevalence of diabetes and glucose intolerance. Good progress has been made in generating reliable data on NCD risk factors and in establishing a national cancer registry. There is now a need to develop an effective programme for the prevention and control of the major NCDs based on the primary prevention, common risk factors reduction approach and on promoting secondary and tertiary prevention of common NCDs.
Achievements
Data on NCD risk factors are now available.
A more intensive response to smoking .
National cancer registry.
Constraints
Lack of NCD surveillance system
Lack of a comprehensive cancer control programme
No systematic initiatives on primary prevention of NCDs
No food or nutrition policy
No national plan for the promotion of physical activity
Objectives
To assist the MOH in establishing a comprehensive programme on the prevention and control of NCDs
Priorities
- To establish an NCD surveillance system.
- To develop a national multisectoral plan for primary prevention of NCDs.
- To update standards of health carefor people with common NCDs.
Performance indicators
- A national strategy on NCD prevention.
- An established surveillance system for NCVDs.
- A pilot project on integrating health care for diabetes for NCDs hypertension into primary care.
BLINDNESS AND DEAFNESS
Situation analysis
Blindness remains a public health problem for the people of this region. Based on a limited study, the prevalence of blindness in Jordan is 0.6% of all population. Cataract is the major cause. As per the available data, it is estimated that there are 64000 people with low vision due to Cataract. There is a need for more accurate baseline data on the prevalence and causes of blindness and low vision. Many of the district hospitals need be strengthened by training the manpower and providing necessary equipment for cataract surgery.
WHO along with International Agency of Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) has developed a strategic plan of action Vision 2020 Right to Sight to reduce the avoidable blindness. Jordan has not yet joined vision 2020. Activities of the WHO collaborative project have focused over the last biennia on training of general practitioners and request of essential supplies
Achievements
Jordan has excellent health infrastructure and adequate personnel to deliver ophthalmic services.
Objectives
- Implementation of Vision2020 and reduction of disease burden mainly the cataract backlog along with the other causes of blindness.
- strengthening of baseline data on blindness, its causes and existing services, needs assessment.
- Strengthening the eye care infrastructures
Priority areas
- To obtain accurate baseline data.
- To reduce the disease burden mainly the Cataract backlog within 5 years, in the context of Vision2020.
- To strengthening the eye care infrastructures.
- To increase Human resource for Cataract Microsurgery surgery by training more surgeons especially in districts level Hospitals.
Performance indicators
- National action plan for vision 2020
- Number of health professionals trained
Deafness
There are only two centers for speech and hearing loss in Jordan. One is situated in Amman which serves all civilian patients in Amman and South of Jordan (Karak, Ma'an, Tafelah). Also, the equipments in this center are old and overutilized and replacement of these equipments is badly needed. All hearing assessment and speech rehabilitation cases from south and middle of Jordan are referred to this center.
The other center is situated in Amera Basma Hospital in Irbid which serves all civilian patients in north of Jordan. Also, there is high burden on this center and replacement of the equipments is needed. As far as prevention is concerned, there are no nationally representative accurate data on the magnitude and causes of deafness and there is no strategy or action plan.
Priority areas
- More training of staff
- Determining the prevalence and identify the major causes of disabiling hearing impairment or deafness
- Determining the frequency and distribution of all levels of disabling hearing impairment and its causes in different demographic regions and districts
- Developing an action plan for the prevention of deafness and hearing imparimant.
Performance indicators
- - Reliable data on deafness and hearing impairment in Jordan
- - Development of strategies.
