SCH Organizes a Workshop for Gradual National Survey Data Analysis

Doha, July 11 (QNA) - Activities of the workshop organized by Supreme Council of Health (SCH) in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) on analyzing the data of the Gradual National Survey of risk factors for developing non-communicable diseases were concluded here today. The workshop, which started on Monday and presentation by Melanie Kwan of (WHO), aims to train surveyors on using a special program for the analysis of survey data and on writing reports in preparation for announcing the preliminary of the results of the survey. Director of health promotion and non-communicable diseases at SCH Sheikha Dr. Al-Anoud bint Mohamed Al Thani said that the workshop comes within the framework of the SCH's efforts to control and reduce chronic non-communicable diseases and the preservation of public health to achieve a disease-free society. She added that the chronic non-communicable diseases constitute the most important causes of mortality and disability in the world and in the East Mediterranean Region, where they cause, according to WHO's statistics, 60 percent of deaths in the world amid expectations that this percentage will increase to 73 percent in 2020. She pointed out that these diseases pose a serious challenge and a huge burden on public health services, adding that these diseases have common factors which are smoking, lack of physical activity, unhealthy nutrition and obesity, and all of them are preventable. Sheikha Dr. Al-Anoud said that the SCH carried out the fieldwork phase of the National Survey of risk factors for developing non-communicable diseases, which is approved by WHO, during the period from the 17 March to 12 May 2012 in collaboration with Qatar Statistical Authority and Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Authority, Qatar Diabetes Association, Qatar Red Crescent and Qatar Volunteer Centre. (QNA)