Mr. Tim Vora, Executive Director of HACC joined a consultative meeting on the Zero Draft Report of STEPwie Approach to Surveillance of NCD Risks Factor 2023 organized by Preventive Medicine Department of the Ministry of Heath with technical and financial supported by WHO. The meeting took place on 27-28 of December 2023 at the Regency Hotel, Siem Reap.
Participants in the meeting are representatives from the Ministry of Health, relevant government agencies, development partners, NGOs, and academic institutions.
The objective is to discuss and provide feedback on the zero draft report of the STEPwise approach to surveillance of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in Cambodia for the year 2023.
Meeting Summary:
- The meeting was opened by Dr. Phy Maly, Deputy Director of Preventive Medicine Department of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Nargiza Khodjaeva, team leader for NCD and Health through the Life course from the WHO in Cambodia and Mr. Chhim Sreng, from NIPH
- A presentation was delivered by Dr. Phy Maly, Deputy Director of Preventive Medicine Department of the Ministry of Health on the zero draft report. The presentation covered the following areas:
- Prevalence of major NCD risk factors in Cambodia, including tobacco use, alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Existing NCD surveillance systems and data collection methods.
- Gaps and challenges in NCD surveillance.
- Proposed recommendations for strengthening NCD surveillance in Cambodia using the STEPwise approach.
- Following the presentation, participants were divided into three groups to review and comment on the draft report. Group1: on tobacco use and alcohol consumption, Group2: Eating pattern, Physical activity, and blood pressure and diabetes history and Group3: on Physical measurements, biochemical measurements and summary of combined risk factors as engaged in a lively discussion, providing valuable feedback on the zero draft report. Key points raised during the discussion included:
- The need to prioritize the collection of data on specific NCD risk factors that are most relevant to the Cambodian context.
- The comparation data among STEP1, STEP2 and STEP3.
- The need for improved data quality and standardization.
- The meeting concluded with a summary of the key takeaways and next steps.
- It was agreed that: The zero draft report will be revised based on the feedback received at the meeting.
- A final report will be submitted to the Ministry of Health for review and approval.
- The meeting was closed by Dr. Kol Hero, Director of the Preventive Medicine Department of the Ministry of Health.
The join consultative meeting on the Zero Draft Report of the STEPwise Approach to Surveillance of NCD Risk Factors 2023 in Cambodia was a productive and informative event. The feedback provided by participants will be used to improve the final report and for strengthening NCD surveillance in Cambodia.
