Pretoria - Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has called on the international community to put pressure on the food industry to reduce harmful foodstuffs and promote healthy eating habits worldwide.
Speaking at the United Nations High Level meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Motsoaledi said South Africa recognizes the need for NCDs to be regarded as a development priority rather than only a health concern.
"It is the view of the South African government that a 'health only' approach will not reverse the global mortality and burden from NCDs, but that a 'whole of government' and 'whole of society' approach is needed," Motsoaledi said.
He also shared few examples of risk reduction and control of NCDs in South Africa, which include the implementation of the Framework Convention and Guidelines on Tobacco Control reiterating that government will continue to strengthen legislation to further reduce the impact of tobacco use.
"On improving surveillance, South Africa has recently passed regulations making the reporting of cancers compulsory. This makes South Africa one of the few countries to do this... South Africa has also just passed regulations to reduce the use of trans fats and are currently drawing up regulations to reduce salt content in processed food.
"Towards the whole of government and development approach to the prevention and control of NCDs, an inter-ministerial committee made up of nine ministers has been established to come up with legislative and other solutions to combat harm from alcohol and other drugs," Motsoaledi told delegates.
The two-day meeting was attended by world leaders including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Director-General of the World Health Organisation Dr Margaret Chan, heads of state and health ministers.
The meeting aimed to address the prevention and control of NCDs worldwide, with a particular focus on developmental challenges, and the social and economic impacts, particularly for developing countries.
Globally, deaths due to NCDs are projected to increase by 17% over the next 10 years, but the greatest increase (24%) is expected in the African region.
Currently, NCDs cause 60% of all deaths; 80% of them occur in developing countries. Around a quarter of them occur in people under the age of 60 and it is estimated that by 2030, NCDs will contribute 75% of global deaths. - BuaNews
