Conference seeks all-out efforts to combat NCDs

On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah opened an international conference on lifestyle and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) here yesterday.
Al-Rabeeah called on all stakeholders to redouble efforts to combat the growing prevalence of NCDs in the Arab world and the Middle East region.
He said NCDs are responsible for more deaths worldwide than all other causes combined and “our region has not been immune to this rising epidemic.”
He warned that some 52 million people are forecast to die annually by 2030 from the current annual deaths exceeding 36 million, if NCDs are not controlled effectively.”
“It is time to make a real investment in health care now, not only to help patients currently suffering from noncommunicable diseases but also to stem the rising numbers of the NCDs in our region,” said the health minister, while referring to the teachings of Islam and principles of science, which also prescribe people to refrain from gluttony. He said that obesity, use of tobacco and physical inactivity are major reasons of the growing number of people suffering from NCDs.

Please read full story on Page 2