Tribune News Network
Doha
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday launched Qatar’s National Action Plan on Obesity, Diabetes, and Modifiable Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD), 2024-2030. The launch took place at the 2024 World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) and coincides with World Diabetes Day.
The Action Plan sets forth an ambitious path to improve national health outcomes, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Health Strategy 2024-2030.
Assistant Minister for Health Affairs HE Dr Salih Ali Al Marri said, "The launch of the Action Plan marks an important step towards addressing obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which are major contributors to Qatar’s non-communicable disease burden. By emphasising health promotion, clinical excellence, and innovation, this Plan reinforces our commitment to building a healthy society in Qatar.”
Dr Salih Al Marri stressed that the Plan is centred on empowering individuals and families to make informed health choices, as well as underscored the role of proactive policies in creating supportive environments for health and wellness.
Dr Al Marri added that the new Action Plan sets ambitious targets, including a 36% reduction in mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030, in line with Qatar’s National Development Strategy (QNDS) and the National Health Strategy (NHS-3), as well as emphasised the critical role of primary care in providing patient-centred services to address diabetes and obesity at the community level.
All stakeholders involved in the care of patients with obesity and diabetes in Qatar contributed to developing the Action Plan, which was launched under the slogan, ‘Together to Prevent Diabetes, Obesity, and ASCVD’. The Action Plan emphasises preventive measures and encourages individuals and communities to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad Al Thani, director of the Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Programs at the Ministry of Public Health, said, "Diabetes and obesity are among the most pressing public health challenges of our time. This Action Plan is a pivotal step towards reducing their prevalence and impact on our community. Based on the results from Qatar’s 2023 STEPwise Survey on non-communicable diseases and their risk factors, as well as the previous 2012 survey, we have a unique opportunity to improve by focusing our policies and interventions, enhancing our approach to early diagnosis and prevention, and by fostering a healthier and more resilient community through data-driven insights.”
Speaking on the progress made under the National Diabetes Strategy (2016-2022), Prof Abdul Badi Abou Samra, co-chair of the National Diabetes Committee and Director of the Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI), noted that the 2024-2030 Action Plan builds on the strengthened screening programmes, national clinical guidelines, and community awareness initiatives achieved in recent years. Prof Abu Samra highlighted the strategic focus of the Plan on sustaining recent progress and expanding efforts to prevent and reverse obesity, diabetes, and modifiable risk factors.
Prof Abou Samra stated, "Comparing the data from Qatar’s 2012 and 2023 National STEPwise Survey on non-communicable disease risk factors shows that our collective efforts can curb the prevalence of obesity and diabetes.”
The Action Plan includes 58 projects to achieve three main objectives: Prevention of obesity, diabetes, and ASCVD; optimal management of diabetes, obesity, risk factors and complications; and empowerment of the public and healthcare professionals.