MUSCAT – “It is no doubt that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to be a growing threat and concern worldwide. In Oman, NCDs cause 80 percent of all deaths and lead to a significant economic burden. The economic burden of NCDs in Oman is estimated to be 1.1 Billion OMR (2.8 Billion USD) every year. A figure equivalent to 3.59 percent of the GDP in 2019; the four main NCDs, i.e. cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, accounted for 76 percent of all healthcare expenditures in 2019,” states Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, in the report ‘Monitoring Sultanate of Oman’s National Response to Tackling Non-Communicable Diseases’.

The report has been released by the Ministry of Health, represented by the Department of Non-Communicable Disease under the Directorate General of Primary healthcare. It is the first progress report of its kind since the issuance of the National Monitoring Framework for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases in November 2021. The report includes most prominent recommended interventions to combat non-communicable diseases in the community and a review of levels. Non-communicable diseases (also known as chronic diseases) are long-term diseases that result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioral factors. As per the report, the four primary NCDs namely cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases accounted for 76 percent of the total healthcare expenditures in 2019.

Oman aims to reduce the impact of NCDs; it has set a target to reduce premature mortality rate by one third by the year 2030 by implementing comprehensive strategies and interventions. The report recommends the restriction of tobacco usage within the country as statistics reveal unhealthy trends. Tobacco usage among teens aged between 13 to 15 years, which currently stands at 6%, is expected to be reduced to 2 percent by 2030; 8.5 percent usage among adults will be targeted to be brought down to 5 percent. This will be tackled by increasing taxes on tobacco products and through media campaigns to raise awareness on the effects of tobacco on health.

Unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and air pollution are also listed as risk factors, with measures to monitor them and reduce the impact. The report notes that the prevalence of obesity among adults currently stands at 30.7 percent, which it hopes to bring down to 24.1 percent by 2030. Salt intake, on the other hand, is 8.5 percent, and is planned to be decreased to 6 percent. Increased blood pressure affects 33.6 per cent of adults, which is anticipated to be brought down to 26.9 percent; raised blood glucose levels from 15.7 percent of the population to 12.3 percent.

“Oman through its multi-sectoral effort and approach continues to introduce policies and regulations to help limit access to unhealthy products and to create an environment that supports the adoption of healthy habits and lifestyles. However, the mounting evidence of how the burden of NCDs impedes social and economic development calls for the strengthening of the surveillance of NCDs and the process of monitoring and evaluating the country’s response to this growing public health challenge. “The release of Oman’s National Monitoring Framework for the Prevention and Control of NCDs in November 2021 provided an unprecedented opportunity to align all efforts toward monitoring progress, and the implementation of interventions and to link it with the country’s national and international goals and targets,” states the foreword from the Health Minister in the report.