The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : `Chronic diseases receive low donor aid'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 14, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

`Chronic diseases receive low donor aid'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, FEB. 13 . Chronic and non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as diabetes, have been receiving low donor aid, and this requires to be corrected, the World Health Organisation has said.

Addressing the Fourth World Congress on Prevention of Diabetes and its complications here today, Nigel Unwin, Medical Officer, Diabetes Unit, WHO, said that in 2002, official overseas development aid to the health sector was $ 2.9 billion, of which just 0.1 per cent was allocated to the non-communicable diseases, including mental health. Most of the aid was directed to HIV/AIDS. As for loans extended by the World Bank and regional development banks, 2.5 per cent of $ 4.2 billion for health, population and nutrition between 1997 and 2002 was set aside for chronic diseases.

Dr. Unwin, who delivered the WHO Diabetes Oration, said studies showed that the NCDs were posing a threat to economic development of several nations, especially developing countries, as increased levels of diabetes and other such diseases among adults of working age led to an increased burden on the health care of families which resulted in lower productivity.

An international programme, aimed at raising awareness of and promoting solutions to the prevention and control of diabetes, was launched in October 2003 under the auspices of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the WHO. Funded by the World Diabetes Foundation, the programme focused on low and middle-income countries.

The key messages were that "diabetes is life threatening," "(it is) common and increasing rapidly," "a full and healthy life is possible" and "in many cases, prevention is possible."

A technical report on the chronic diseases, especially diabetes, would be published in November this year. It would highlight the economic case for urgent action and would be targeted at national governments and the global assistance community. It would also provide practical guidance on the implementation of prevention and control measures, Dr. Unwin said.

Gojka Roglic, another WHO medical officer, highlighted the need for containing the spread of diabetes. A. Ramachandran, organising chairman of the Congress and Director of the Chennai-based Diabetes Research Centre, (WHO collaborating centre for research, education and training in diabetes), said his organisation was working on controlling the disease in neighbouring countries. Pierre Lefebvre, president of the IDF, moderated the discussion.

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