Health experts from Asia and Africa on Friday started a two-day meeting here aimed at finding a common strategy to fight chronic diseases, which are now the leading causes of death globally, Xinhua reported.
Uganda's Prime Minister Apollo Nsibambi, who was represented by Adolf Mwesige, Minister of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, urged developing countries to develop comprehensive strategies to fight the diseases that are on the increase.
"We can no longer console ourselves that chronic diseases are diseases of the rich developed countries because 80 percent of the deaths from chronic diseases were reported in low to middle income countries like ours," he said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that there will be an overall increase in deaths by 17 percent across the world due to chronic diseases in 10 years but the greatest increase will be seen in developing countries.
The diseases such as hypertension, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are by far the leading cause of death in the world, representing 60 percent of all deaths.
Out of the 35 million people who died from chronic diseases in 2005, half were under 70 and half were women, according to WHO.
Mary Amuyunzu-Nyamamango, the Executive Director of African Institute for Health and Development, told the over 100 delegates that governments need to fight chronic diseases with the same seriousness they gave to HIV/AIDS.
She said all government departments must be involved in the fight.
Experts warn that the burden of chronic diseases is growing, but many low-and middle-income countries have not yet experienced the full demands that these conditions will place on their health systems.
The two-day summit sponsored by the Aga Khan University is held under the theme "Preparing Communities: Chronic Diseases in the Low and Middle Income Countries of Africa and Asia."