National Multisectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (2018-2027).

This National Multisectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (2018-2027) is Cambodia's response to the growing challenges of cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. To reduce Cambodian people's risk of NCDs, the plan consists of 2 main components: Prevention of more Cambodians from developing NCDs and mitigate the severity of NCD patients so as to prevent them from being people with disability and premature death. National strategies are set up. Strategy 1 is to reduce population exposure to noncommunicable disease risk factors and the Objective is to prevent NCDs due to tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Strategy 2 is to strengthen multisectoral governance and resources for NCDs, and the Objective is to develop an integrated and coordinated approach to addressing NCDs to ensure balanced, effective and equal use of limited resources.
Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes, are a major public health problem and are rising in Cambodia. These four noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for almost half of all deaths in Cambodia and are projected to rise further as a consequence of changing lifestyles and environments. NCDs are not only a health problem but also a challenge to development, which threatens Cambodia's economic growth, the effort to reduce poverty of population and society as a whole.
This multisectoral action plan outlines actions for a range of relevant ministries. Actions proposed include: Conduct a national survey on salt use; Promote healthy diet and physical activity through the healthy city program; Promote healthy diet and physical activity in schools; Develop and implement the national action plan on salt reduction; Develop national guideline on nutrition for all sectors; Manage taxes on foods and subsidies; Expand the national efficient cooking stove program; Create a fund for health promotion and prevention of NCDs based on tobacco and alcohol taxation; Establish a whole-of government mechanism to oversee implementation of multisectoral action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs; etc.
The multisectoral interventions of relevant ministries/agencies are essential. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries shall be responsible for: Explore various mechanisms to make agricultural produce safer for consumers through promoting the production of local fruits and vegetables; Enforce laws and regulations related to hygiene control and phytosanitary for plants and animal products; Strengthen the management and control of veterinary products and drug residue control; Enforce animal health and production law. The Ministry of Environment shall be responsible for: Improve environmental quality through managing hazardous substances and waste, the use of plastic bags; Control air pollution; Implement sustainable lifestyle and green development: etc.