NCDs survey to help tackle drug shortage situation

Jul 20, 2016 News

Chronic Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) account for 70 per cent of all deaths occurring in Guyana. It is therefore the number one cause of premature deaths for people before the age of 70.
But NCDs can be very preventable by the simple modification of the four risk factors. These are harmful tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, which are all associated with the onset of chronic NCDs. The four main non communicable diseases are: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory disease accounts for the highest burden on mortality and morbidity.
Government has, moreover, been taking steps to arrest the NCDs with the view of reducing the number of resulting deaths.
According to information disseminated by the Ministry of Public Health’s Chronic Disease Unit, in an effort to combat NCDs, it will be conducting a STEPwise approach to non communicable disease surveillance (STEPS) Population Based Survey, from July to October 2016, to determine chronic disease risk factor and surveillance in Guyana.
A Listing Process was conducted by the Bureau of Statistics from July 14-18.
For many years, Guyana has been utilizing estimated statistics to account for the population at risk of developing NCDs, and for those who are already living with these diseases. This approach will now be changed.
Upon the completion of the STEPS survey, statistics will be acquired and Guyana will have baseline figures. This will allow the Ministry of Public Health to closely monitor the population which will facilitate the development and implementation of appropriate interventions to treat and prevent chronic non communicable diseases.
The survey will also give the Ministry of Public Health a better chance to be able to properly forecast and procure the right type of medication and in sufficient quantities, hence preventing drug shortages in the country.
The STEPS survey is a totally voluntary survey. All participants will be notified of their results at the end of the assessment.
A total of 3,456 households will be randomly chosen to participate in the STEPS survey. One person (within the household) between the ages of 18 to 69 years will be asked to participate in the interview which comprises three parts: Responding to basic questions pertaining to demographics, habits and lifestyle practices as it relates to the risk factors of NCDs; the person participating will required to have their weight, height and blood pressure checked and recorded by the officer conducting the survey; the final stage will involve taking a small venous blood sample from the participant’s arm to test for blood sugar, cholesterol, sickle cell and thalassemia which are two common blood disorders found in Guyana.
This step involves the participant fasting overnight.
The Ministry of Public Health will be collaborating with the Bureau of Statistics in executing the STEPS survey.
According to information from the Ministry the process is very straightforward with trained personnel visiting communities to map out the layout of houses, after which the households will be randomly selected. A request is extended to the communities across Guyana to offer their full support to the officers as they embark on this process.
For more information, persons can contact Dr. Kavita Singh, Coordinator Chronic Diseases Unit on telephone number 223-7355 or Mr. Ian Manifold, Head of Surveys, Bureau of Statistics on 225-9063.

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