Princess Zahra Aga Khan stresses importance of comprehensive Early Childhood Development in the prevention of chronic diseases

Kampala, Uganda, 7 February 2009 - The Chronic Diseases Summit came to a close in Kampala today, after two days of deliberations. The Summit was hosted by the Aga Khan University (AKU) in partnership with the Government of Uganda and with technical support from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Speaking at a breakfast session attended by all delegates this morning, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, daughter of His Highness the Aga Khan and member of the Board of Trustees of AKU, noted that whereas it was evident that the rise in chronic diseases was preventable through multi-sector approaches such as the change of lifestyle and diet, Comprehensive Early Childhood Development had been neglected as a preventative approach and was of paramount importance.

According to research, malnutrition at various stages of pregnancy, and exposure to a suboptimal environment has an effect on the body’s immune system, and susceptibility to illnesses in later life such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases among others.

“This intervention if undertaken before and during pregnancy could have a significant impact on the state of health of a child in early years, but also importantly in later life,” she said.

Elaborating further, Princess Zahra stated, “Good and bad habits are formed early in life, and breaking the cycle that leads to chronic diseases before and during pregnancy with some simple and cost-effective educational material and basic teaching on hygiene, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles has a huge and rapid impact.”

Princess Zahra noted that governments should play an important role in setting regulations and creating an enabling environment for the prevention of chronic diseases. “Governments also have a role to play in promoting health-seeking behaviour as well as in discouraging unhealthy choices through education and the dissemination of information,” she said.

She urged governments to take responsibility for mapping incidence and understanding the causes of chronic diseases, as well as in designing a health system to meet future requirements of a chronic disease-prone population.

The Summit drew together some 100 delegates from over 25 countries with 11 countries represented at the ministerial level from Kyrgyzstan, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Thailand, Bangladesh, South Africa and Pakistan. Participants, meeting over two days also included leaders from academia, civil society, the NGO community and the private sector.

Some of the learnings of the summit included the fact that 80% of all chronic diseases are preventable for as little as one dollar per person per year and that solutions to chronic diseases depended on multi and inter-sectoral approaches, focused on international standard professional training and skill development and knowledge generation and dissemination through research.

The delegates resolved to implement the WHO Global Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) Action Plan and consistent with Objective No. 5 of the Plan, “to promote partnerships for the prevention and control of non communicable diseases” through the creation of a basis for a multi-sectoral alliance in Asia and Africa.

They also agreed to accelerate progress of this alliance by sharing resources, expertise and experiences to promote an integrated and evidence-based approach to reducing the health and economic burdens of chronic diseases.

Furthermore the delegates agreed that governments and multi-sectoral partners at all levels will provide the leadership vital to refine and advance the directions developed during the Summit.

“Collaborative efforts and alliances such as the one we have initiated today are an essential component to developing a global strategy to eradicating chronic diseases. AKU looks forward to continuing to support this alliance through research, and building capacity through education of health professionals and facilitating further conversations,” said Firoz Rasul, President of AKU in closing the Summit.

For more information please contact:

Eunice Mwangi
Regional Manager
Resource Development and Public Relations
Aga Khan University- EA
Tel: +254 20 3662170, 3747004 Ext 2170
Fax: +254 3747004/3746309
Mobile: +254 735 800100
Email: [email protected]

Wanjiru Mwangi-Ruhanga
Communications Officer
Aga Khan Development Network
PO Box 48508-00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 254-20-2247372-5
Fax: 254-20-2247398
Mobile: 254-721 217499
Email: [email protected]

Semin Abdulla
Information Officer
Secretariat of His Highness the Aga Khan
Aiglemont
60270 Gouvieux, France
Tel: +33 3 44 58 40 00
Fax: +33 3 44 58 42 79
Aga Khan Development Network: www.akdn.org

NOTES

Chartered in 1983, the Aga Khan University (AKU) is Pakistan’s first private, autonomous university and its charter calls upon it to serve the Muslim Ummah and developing countries. The University is recognised for its research, teaching and service at an international standard in medicine, nursing, teacher education, medical care and community service. The university has campuses and programmes in eight countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, including Faculties of Health Sciences with a Nursing School, Medical College and teaching hospitals in Karachi and Nairobi, Institutes for Educational Development in Karachi and Dar es Salaam, an Examination Board and an Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations. AKU is a non-denominational institution open to all, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, gender, national origin or financial standing.

His Highness the Aga Khan is the founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private, non-denominational development agencies working to empower communities and individuals to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East. The Network’s nine development agencies focus on social, cultural and economic development for all citizens, regardless of gender, origin or religion. The AKDN’s underlying ethic is compassion for the vulnerable in society. Its annual budget for development activities is in excess of US$ 350 million. A direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Aga Khan has emphasised the view of Islam as a thinking, spiritual faith, one that teaches compassion and tolerance and that upholds the dignity of man.