Governments must design and lead their own response to NCDs

“I think that [countries] are well-past the beginning of awareness but are still in the early stages of implementing the kind of changes that need to happen.”

— Rachel Nugent,
Vice President of Global
Noncommunicable
Diseases RTI International

"One key here is the political will and commitment in the countries to make this happen. That political commitment will lead to appropriation of resources and opportunities to engage productively with the private sector. Without that political commitment, it is very difficult to make progress."

— José Luis Castro,
President NCD Alliance

Governments are best positioned to understand the local context and devise and adapt suitable solutions. More than 90 percent of survey respondents believe most LMICs lack strong enough policies on NCDs. They say political will and leadership is the only way countries can develop an NCD strategy and design and implement comprehensive solutions. Respondents indicate that too often NCD policies and resource decisions are delegated to ministries of health, but more sustainable and comprehensive solutions require leadership at the highest levels of government, including the head of state or prime minister. Other ministries like trade, agriculture, finance, and even transportation, should also engage in NCD policy decisions and resource planning. Ministries of information and communication technology can also play a more prominent role in rolling out digital or e-health programs.

92%

of survey respondents believe most LMICs lack early detection equipment, tools, and training that could combat and help control NCDs.

Major obstacles would include the lack of resources, funding for the diagnostic equipment and supplies. Even in health centers in better off countries, it might not be easy to find machines that are working properly, all the basic things that you need the diagnostics for diabetes or hypertension and so on. Funding, equipment, staff who are trained in the accurate measurement and the delivery of these through different channels in primary health care as well as in hospitals are critical.

— James Hospedales,
Executive Director Caribbean
Public Health Agency

Some developing countires have strong government policies to deal with major NCDs, while others do not

41%

Government policies 

dealing with major NCDs

are severely lacking in

developing countries

To my knowledge, most developing countries have government policies to deal with the major NCDs. such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratorty disease and diabetes

50%

10%

The majority of survey respondents indicate that most developing countries lack early detection equipment, tools, and training for NCD control. Only 4 percent believe existing NCD diagnostic referral systems are adequate in addressing health concerns in LMICs. When asked what would make the biggest difference to improve diagnostic referral systems and clinical pathways in LMICs, 44 percent of survey respondents chose education and awareness and 24 percent chose proper equipment in primary care centers.

Existing NCD diagnostic referral systems (meaning that early detection leads to medical attention) are adequate in addressing health cocnerns in developing countries

Strong and effective NCD diagnostic referral systems are severely lacking in the vast majority of developing countries

4%

While existing NCD diagnostic referral systmes in developing countires are able to address most health cocnerns, much is still needed to be done to improve them

67%

29%

6%

Other

To improve clinical pathways and diagnostic referral systems, respondents are split between emphasizing the need for education to increase health seeking behavior, and investing in detection and diagnostic tools and practices. They suggest investments in these functions must happen concurrently to make the biggest impact. Truly effective NCD care involves awareness campaigns on recognizing early symptoms, in addition to improvements in detection and diagnostics capabilities in primary health centers. Health professionals recognize that decisive government action in collaboration with the private sector and broader development community is the only way to bring about change.