Muscat:The developmental workshop aimed at preparing the National Plan for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases has concluded. This event was organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit.
According to Oman News Agency, the workshop is part of national efforts to develop a comprehensive strategy for preventing non-communicable diseases. The event focused on reviewing and developing priority pillars and initiatives that align with supporting factors for implementation, thereby enhancing cooperation between the Ministry of Health and relevant sectors.
The workshop covered six main pillars essential for building the national strategy: tobacco control, promoting healthy nutrition, physical activity, mental health, early detection programs for non-communicable diseases, and a national framework for monitoring and evaluation. Supporting factors included legislation, funding, communication, media, and community partnerships.
The tobacco control pillar focused on regulating tobacco product trade and promoting preventive behaviors. The healthy nutrition pillar aimed at reducing salt consumption and tackling obesity, while the physical activity pillar emphasized creating supportive environments for exercise and developing awareness systems.
In mental health, the workshop discussed creating supportive environments, increasing the availability of specialized personnel, and enhancing day rehabilitation programs. It also addressed the development of early detection programs for diseases like breast and colorectal cancer and improved monitoring and evaluation systems.
The Ministry of Health stated that the workshop marked a significant milestone in the ongoing process of preparing the national strategy. The conclusion of the workshop signals a shift to developing operational plans from the established pillars and projects, ensuring they are effective and measurable.
The next phase will involve the Supreme Committee for Combating Non-Communicable Diseases and related entities aligning initiatives with enabling factors, defining roles, and setting performance indicators. This phase aims to enhance the transition from planning to implementation, improving the national system's capacity to address non-communicable diseases and related health risks.
These efforts are part of the broader goal to achieve "Oman Vision 2040," focusing on prevention, health promotion, early detection, and continuous monitoring. The initiative will unify various sector efforts to improve community health and quality of life.
