DAR ES SALAAM: THE World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Africa, Prof Mohamed Janabi, has described the PEN-PLUS initiative as a key strategy to address the rise in non-communicable diseases in Africa.
Prof Janabi has noted that the initiative is fundamental to saving lives and reducing the huge burden facing the health sector in developing countries.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam during the PEN-PLUS international conference, Prof Janabi said non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease and cancer have become major health challenges in Africa, and therefore require a strong strategy that targets citizens at the primary care level.
“The PEN-PLUS initiative aims to improve access to specialist services by bringing them closer to the people through district hospitals and health centres, instead of patients having to travel long distances to seek treatment in large referral hospitals”, said Prof Janabi.
He explained that the measure will help reduce deaths due to delayed treatment as well as increase the efficiency of health service delivery.
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Prof Janabi added that the success of the plan also depends on strengthening early detection of non-communicable diseases, increasing training for health workers, as well as ensuring access to essential medicines and medical equipment at all levels of the health system.
He also stressed the importance of African countries increasing domestic investment in the health sector to reduce dependence on foreign aid, explaining that the burden of non-communicable diseases continues to grow and requires a sustainable solution derived from domestic resources.
“If the PEN-PLUS plan is fully implemented, it will make a significant contribution to achieving universal health coverage and significantly reducing deaths caused by non-communicable diseases in Africa.