Introduction

Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer, renal, genetic and respiratory conditions are rising dramatically in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Currently, 45% of the region’s disease burden is due to noncommunicable diseases. It is expected that this burden will rise to 60% by the year 2020. The impact of these conditions falls heavily on the region’s poor and marginalized populations.

The modifiable risk factors smoking, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity expressed, as diabetes, obesity and high lipids are the root causes of the global noncommunicable disease epidemic. Although the relative importance of these may vary in different populations, these conventional risk factors may explain 75% of these chronic conditions. CVD and diabetes are emerging as the single leading cause of mortality in Gulf. The enormous burden caused, in terms of suffering and health costs are escalating. NCDs present mainly at the primary health care (PHC) level and will therefore need to be handled principally in these settings. Yet, most primary health care has developed in response to acute problems and the urgent needs of patients. And in many cases, health care workers lack the skills and practical tools to manage chronic conditions and to ensure that patients receive comprehensive, coordinated care.

There are two major health problems facing the EMR Area: the incidence of hypertension is 26% and diabetes ranges between 7-25%. This means setting priorities for screening, early detection and management to be applied and followed among Gulf area, through community based programme.

Primary prevention, based on comprehensive population-based programmes, is the most cost-effective approach to contain this emerging epidemic. Therefore, action to reduce these major NCDs should focus on preventing and controlling the risk factors in an integrated manner. Intervention at all levels of society, from communities to governments, private organizations and nongovernmental groups, is essential for prevention since the risk groups are entrenched in the framework of society influenced by many areas of national policy.

As to the above challenging demand, and in support to establish a comprehensive and integrated approach, Regional Office had established ‘Eastern Mediterranean Approach to Noncommunicable Diseases Network’ (EMAN) to promote collaborative linking and capacity building in relation to NCDs prevention and control. EMAN will aim to link EM Countries through community based programmes, raising community awareness about smoking, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity. It will also facilitate capacity building for implementation of standardized NCD risk factor surveillance, and will build up capacity at the PHC level to improve chronic conditions’ care.

Integrated approach