This course entails the WHO package of essential NCD interventions for primary health care in low resource settings, and how these strategies are used in addressing the burden of Non-communicable disease (NCDs) in Fiji and Pacific region. It will review and discuss the different intervention strategies within the Pacific NCD framework and targets and how these can be implemented locally in the different countries within the region. PCP811 will also discuss the components of NCDs intervention strategies and plans with the different populations and high risk approaches in prioritizing health issues. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases are the four main NCDs contributing to the global burden of diseases. Countries around the world including the Pacific Island countries have acknowledged that the burden of NCDs constitutes one of the major challenges for development in this century. It is a vicious cycle whereby NCDs and their risk factors worsen poverty, while poverty contributes to rising rates of NCDs. Current burden is high in Pacific Island countries and areas placing an enormous burden on individuals, families and communities as well as national health systems. As such Pacific Islands Forum Leaders declared the Pacific being in a NCD crisis in 2011. The political declaration of the high level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the prevention and control of NCDs urged relevant international organizations to continue to provide technical assistance and capacity building in the areas of NCD prevention and control.
NCDs diseases are preventable. The World Health Organization estimated that up to eighty per cent of diseases could be prevented by eliminating four shared risk factors of tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol. Exposure to these risk factors could be minimized through collective multisectoral and health systems action by governments and key stakeholders. The aim of this course is to synthesize and apply knowledge, generate skills and execute practices for participants introducing the Package of Essential NCD interventions for primary care based on integrated high-risk factor approach. During this process participants will also learn about why it is important to combine primary prevention in population with individual prevention and management of NCDs, what are the most efficient measures and how exactly it can be done in health care facilities. It bridges the knowledge gap and strengthens capacities on NCD prevention and control for those who work in the NCD area. Course Assessment: A logbook for the PEN clinical attachment activities will filled by the students during their clinical attachment at the selected health facilities and to ensure that the clinical skills and competencies are attained in this course. This will be filled by the students who would be guided by under the supervision of the MOH clinical supervisors and their progress monitored by the Primary care team at the DPHPC. Successful completion of the logbook together with