Non- Communicable Disease Workshop Held

The Ministry of Health's Non- Communicable Disease Department, this week organized a five day workshop on Non-Communicable Diseases.

The workshop was mainly for the Provincial Non- Communicable Coordinators from each province, including nurses from the Honiara City Council Clinics and the National Referral Hospital.

Ms. Nevalyn Laesango, the National Non- Communicable Disease Coordinator told Solomon Times that the workshop was to review the Ministry of Health's strategic plans in relation to Non- Communicable Disease guidelines, making it applicable for the Provincial level.

According to Mrs. Laesango, Non-Communicable Diseases are now high in Honiara as people change from eating traditional food to consuming imported food products.

Mrs. Laesango stated that the factors that contribute to having Non Communicable Disease are: malnutrition, physical inactivity, smoking, chewing of betel nut and consumption of alcohol.

"People in urban areas are more likely to have Non- Communicable Diseases because of the choice of lifestyle," says Mrs. Laesango.

She stated that after the workshop, the Provincial participants are expected to return to their hospitals and implement the guidelines learnt in the workshop.

The workshop will end on Friday.