Health experts have sounded the alarm that Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) could potentially become the next global pandemic if immediate and decisive measures are not taken.

Annually, over 94,000 individuals succumb to NCDs, including diabetes, hypertension, kidney failure, and cancers, highlighting the urgent need for more effective interventions.

At the JoyNews National Dialogue on NCDs held on Thursday, leading health professionals called for swift and proactive governmental action.

Prof. Gordon Abekah-Nkrumah from the Department of Health Services Management at the University of Ghana Business School emphasized the necessity of a multidimensional strategy to combat these diseases.

He pointed out that strong regulations and policies are crucial to addressing the underlying causes of NCDs.

“NCDs are the next pandemic. How are we communicating this to the elites who have the power to make decisions when it comes to resource allocation, such as the Ministry of Finance and cabinet?" Prof. Abekah-Nkrumah asked. "Do they see NCDs as the next COVID, which may necessitate the President addressing the nation every fortnight and holding meetings all over the place? The way we package this message and align it with their own incentives, in terms of how this determines their electoral fortunes, will be very important.”

Prof. Abekah-Nkrumah stressed the critical importance of framing the fight against NCDs in a way that resonates with decision-makers, aligning the urgency of the issue with their political and economic interests.

Effectively communicating the severity of NCDs and their potential impact on the nation’s health and economy is essential for garnering the necessary support and resources.

Dr. Kwasi Boahene, Director of Health Systems at PharmAccess, provided a sobering projection of the financial burden NCDs could impose on Ghana.

He revealed that by 2030, the country might spend approximately six billion dollars annually to address these chronic diseases. This staggering figure highlights the need for immediate action to prevent NCDs from overwhelming the healthcare system and economy.

Immediate and strategic measures are needed to prevent NCDs from becoming the next pandemic. This includes implementing comprehensive policies and ensuring effective communication with decision-makers to secure the required support and resources.