Gov't to improve treatment of non-communicable diseases

Jul 10, 2017

One in every four adults in Uganda suffers from a non-Communicable disease, according to a survey.

With the increasing rate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country, government has signed a deal with Novartis Access to increase patients' access to treatment.

In a press release issued by the permanent secretary ministry of health, Dr. Diana Atwine said the first set of drugs includes valsartan, amlodipine for treatment of hypertension and heart failure, vildagliptin for diabetes and amoxicillin dispersible tablets for treatment of respiratory infections. Others are Salbutamol for

Others are Salbutamol for treatment of asthma, and letrozole for breast cancer.

The high-quality medicines targeting four key NCD including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and breast cancer will be availed countrywide.

"This MOU supports such a collaborative approach and will help to accelerate and scale up the national response to the NCD epidemic," Atwine said

Under the agreement, treatment of NCDs will be supplied to government through the National Medical Stores and Joint Medical Stores at a cheaper price.

According to the National NCD risk factor survey conducted in 2014, one in every four adults in Uganda suffers from a non-Communicable disease.

The survey further revealed that cancer of the cervix is the leading cause of death in Uganda at 10% among women aged 30-49 years while 10% of Ugandans aged 18-69 years have at least three risk factors for NCDs with 20% aged 45-69 years having more than three risk factors.

Some of the common risk factors identified in this survey as contributing to this escalating NCD epidemic in Uganda were Obesity, tobacco use and poor nutrition.

Atwine said government has already established an NCD program to coordinate all efforts toward NCD prevention and control. 

"The new approaches that bring governments, the private sector together are critical to expanding access to medicines and healthcare delivery in emerging economies such as Uganda." Dr. Harald Nusser, Head of Novartis Social Business

We believe this program will optimize NCD treatment in the public sector, leading to improved clinical outcomes." Dr. Nathan Mulure, Head Novartis Social Business, East Africa.

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