On 28 June 2017 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan signed on Record of Discussions on the Technical Cooperation Project for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Uzbekistan.
Signing of the above mentioned document has marked launching of the new JICA project in the health field of Uzbekistan for a period of 2017–2021. Based on discussions, both parties also agreed that Scientific - Research Institute of Public Health and Healthcare Organization will be responsible for the implementation of the Project in cooperation with JICA.
It is worthwhile to mention that an implementation of the project is in line with priority #4 of Uzbekistan's Five-Area Development Strategy for 2017-2021 related in particular to further improvement of healthcare system and promotion of healthy lifestyles in the country.
It is expected that the Technical Cooperation Project for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in Uzbekistan will support the Ministry of Health’s efforts to reduce the evidence-based risk factors of NCDs (mainly cardiovascular diseases and diabetes) to human health in the target areas of the project, namely Tashkent and Navoi regions.
In particular, the project will primarily develop capacity of the branches of Scientific - Research Institute of Public Health and Healthcare Organization and departments of the Ministry of Health in the target regions to combat avoidable NCDs through better data collection, entry and management for further assessment of the burden of chronic NCDs and its response to health system interventions and evidence-based disease management at the primary healthcare institutions and in communities.
Also, the project will review existing intervention guidelines for health check-ups and guidance on promotion of healthy lifestyles as well as will conduct trainings both in Japan and Uzbekistan of frontline healthcare workers, community organizations and local leaders focused on improvement of community-based healthcare services and NCDs prevention that help people living with chronic diseases better manage their day-to-day health.
According to the World Health Organisation, NCDs represent a significant threat to human health and development in today’s world. Such diseases of this category include: cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, obesity, chronic respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal diseases and mental disorders. Statically, these NCDs are the world’s leading causes of death.
