It is clear that approaches to the present and impending CNCD problem demand comprehensive, preventive community-based initiatives….There is a crying need for the development of a comprehensive approach which utilizes all of the resources which are available in the region.

Development of a Regional Plan

• A regional plan should start with the will of participating Governments to improve the services offered to their people in terms of the chronic diseases.

• Governments should then agree to the formation and implementation of such a regional plan.

• Having accepted the need, Governments as a matter of policy must provide the necessary economic human and physical resources to ensure the success of the plan.

• The plan should be dynamic, coordinated and subject to review and alteration as needed.

The regional plan

Stages

• Establish a small Commission to draw up the plan.
• Establish the terms of the Commission
• Provide a time-line for production of the plan
• Agree on the resource base of the Commission
• Establish an agreement to work with any bodies which may be already in existence.
• Review of the plan regionally prior to implementation.

Existing initiatives should not be discontinued pending implementation of the plan

Details of the plan

Involve the Ministries of Health, Education, Finance Agriculture, Public Works, Trade and the Environment in a Regional effort to achieve the following:

Public Education

• Increase of public awareness in terms of health issues related to diabetes, obesity

• Provide resources and facilities for public education i.e. radio, TV, slide shows, fliers and promote local film production etc.

• Utilise public facilities, government and private work-places, churches, schools etc. and allow time during working hours for workers to exercise

• Educate school children in healthy habits. Educate teachers to support these habits and planners to alter school curricula to increase the level of exercise provided in school programs.

• Provide public facilities for exercise i.e. walking and running paths in the city and country-side with appropriate security i.e. lighting, guards etc to enable maximum usage of the facilities

• Engage food providers, fast food chains government nutritionists etc. to advise and participate in providing healthy choices.

• Advise on drug, alcohol and tobacco use

Ministerial support

• Trade and Agricultural Ministries to legislate food security in terms of importation and availability of food, if necessary banning certain unhealthy products and conducting constant surveillance on food quality

• Legislate appropriate labeling of food items

• Plan to grow more vegetables and produce more wholesome foods locally or regionally

• Ban soft drink sales on school premises.

• Ban smoking in public places

As usual the success of any venture will depend on the follow-up and therefore the Commission through its head should be vested with the responsibility for follow-up.