Egypt National Multisectoral Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases 2017-2021.

This National Multisectoral Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases is a nationwide comprehensive strategy aiming at addressing the gap towards NCDs, since are in place strategies for specific risk factors such as tobacco and unhealthy diet/nutrition. This synergistic approach can also bring all relevant stakeholders to work together and will assist in ensuring resources are used efficiently to attain the best health outcomes for Egypt. This Egypt MAP-NCD is in line with the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013–2020. The document includes the national strategic agenda for NCDs and implementation plan. In the national strategic agenda for NCDs, the following five strategic areas have been identified (1) NCD governance focusing on advocacy, partnership and collaboration, and leadership; (2) risk reduction and health promotion that specifies the plans to reduce tobacco use, promote a healthy diet (high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat/trans-fat, sugar, and salt), and promote physical activity; (3) early detection and management of NCDs; (4) surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation that highlights the importance of strengthening national capacity building for improving information on NCDs and their risk factors; and (5) NCD research for improving NCD prevention and control in the country. The Plan provides a comprehensive description of the outcomes to be achieved, specific activities to be implemented, the multi-stakeholder partnership that includes civil society, the timeframe by which the milestones/output are to be measured, and the targets to be achieved.
As for the interventions for proper and healthy nutrition, the Plan aims to (i) adopt national policies to reduce the population's salt/sodium consumption; (ii) adopt national policies that limit saturated fatty acids and virtually eliminate industrially-produced trans-fatty acids in the food supply; (iii) recommend the implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes; (v) promote public awareness on diet and/or physical activity.