ASEAN experts group launches Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Network
A group of healthcare experts across the ASEAN region has announced the formation of the ASEAN Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Network. It also launched a white paper on Innovations in NCD Management in the region.
The ASEAN NCD Network is an informal assembly of influential healthcare experts from the region who are committed to address the issue of NCDs; and aims to promote regional collaboration and cross-country sharing of ideas and best practices.
The white paper, the Network’s first undertaking will centre on innovations in NCD management that will examine case studies of innovative solutions to NCD management in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Singapore. Both the network and white paper are initiatives supported by Philips.
The formation of the network is organized in conjunction with founding anniversary of the World Health Day, held 7 April.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs are the biggest cause of death worldwide, causing more than 36 million deaths in 2008. In effect, two of every three deaths in the world are on account of NCDs. South East Asia also faces an NCD epidemic, which causes 2.5 million deaths annually, and is responsible for 60% of deaths in the region. As the impact of NCDs increases, annual NCD deaths are projected to continue to rise worldwide.
Vincent Chan, General Manager, ASEAN, Philips Healthcare, said, “Southeast Asia is realizing the reality of the rapidly increasing issues and challenges that non-communicable diseases bring. A key outcome of the consultation we hosted last year saw the need for high-impact essential interventions to address the rising rate of non-communicable diseases. The ASEAN NCD Network is the first big step towards helping the countries within the region to find. plausible solutions.”
He added that some of the ideas and solutions shared through this network could be further developed into working policies and initiatives focusing on NCDs in national healthcare systems.
Health and well-being company, Royal Philips Electronics ( Philips) provides further support to the initiative by developing an online digital platform for the ASEAN NCD Network of experts to work together.
Over time, the platform is expected to develop into a much-needed repository of ASEAN-specific NCD data, and feature case studies of exemplary NCD innovations around the region.
In spite of the diversity in each country’s experience with NCDs, there are commonalities that can serve as lessons for all countries that will help shape the continuum of care approach in addressing main NCD diseases.
The White Paper on Innovations in NCD Management in ASEAN , led by Dr. Jeremy Lim, in collaboration with a Southeast Asia wide network of in-country experts; and the ASEAN NCD Network digital platform have been launched recently.
“Every ASEAN country is grappling with the challenges of effectively managing the non-communicable diseases burden. There are pockets of excellence in every country, even the ones with the least economic resources. Our hope through this White Paper is to analyze these gems, identify commonalities applicable to a wider context, and inform policy makers and healthcare providers across ASEAN. The NCDs are a collective challenge for ASEAN and we need to work together and learn from each other,” said Lim.
Category: Features, Technology & Devices
