06 Jul 2014

The Ministry of Health will start conducting a non communicable disease (NCD) risk factor survey from Tuesday July 8.


The ministry will use standardised data collection tools that have been developed by the World Health Organisation to conduct the survey. The tools have been adapted to collect various types of information and specimen specific to non communicable disease (NCD) risk factors.


Briefing members of the media on Friday July 4, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Ms Shenaaz EI-Halabi said the survey will end on August 31.
 Ms El–Halabi said the purpose of the survey was to map and quantify the burden of risk factors leading to non-communicable diseases.


She said population based data on non–communicable diseases and their risk factors was important for evidence based policy formulation and resource allocation as well as the development and monitoring of interventions.


She said the first survey was conducted in 2007 in about 4 000 adults aged between 25–64 years.
She said the results were used to inform the development of the 2011/16 NCD strategic plan as well as support policies and strategies such as the alcohol and substance abuse policy.

This year’s study would involve a randomly sampled population of over 6 000 participants between the ages of 15 and 69 years.
The selected people would be required to respond to a questionnaire, go through physical measurements to assess their Body Mass Index, blood pressure, abdominal and hip circumference and biochemical measurements to assess cholesterol and glucose content in their bodies.


Ms El–Halabi appealed to all to accord those who would be collecting data to give them the necessary assistance and cooperation to make the survey a success.
 “Health is a personal responsibility hence any initiatives that are geared in this direction should be taken up,” she said.


She said the survey would ensure that health workers provide all with information in order to take personal responsibility towards leading a quality lifestyle in all stages of life.
She added that her ministry was committed to improving the lives of Batswana through improving health care services and reinforcing prevention of disease.


She noted that it was through the survey that the ministry could adequately plan for the equitable distribution of resources so that all Batswana receive health services regardless of their geographical location. ENDS