Ministry Prepares Non-communicable Diseases Guide, Materials to Patients, Caregivers

Addis Ababa ENA August 20/2019 Ministry of Health has launched today a non-communicable disease health communication guide book and cancer educational materials for patients and caregivers.

Diseases Prevention and Control (NPC) Acting Director at the ministry, Nebyou  Negusu said  the cancer educational materials would contribute to the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.

He noted that the materials would help to maximize the impact in behavioral change as well as social change in  the society on non-communicable diseases, particularly cancer.

According to Nebyou, the government is striving to create awareness on non-communicable diseases in collaboration with civic society organizations, NGOs and partners.

The book and materials will be distributed to all health institutions and partners, it was learned.

American Cancer Society Global Capacity Development and Patient Support Managing Director, Kristie McComb told ENA that her organization is working with the ministry to prevent and control non-communicable diseases.

"These materials that we have been developing over the last few years in Ethiopia with our Ethiopian stakeholders are going to be great tools for health care providers to be able to explain and talk to patients about their cancer diagnosis," she stated.

Furthermore she noted that the partners are hoping to include other services that are important for patients or to work with existing partners engaged in this kind of work at least in the United States.

"We have the other partners join in to support the Ethiopian government in this endeavor as well as the civil society sector, all of the NGOs out there that are also trying to make things happen. We want to support them as well," she explained.

McComb appreciated the commitment of the government in preventing and controlling cancer.