the By Dr. Joseph D. Lim
The World Health Organization (WHO) is determined to implement a roadmap for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.
Non-communicable diseases account for almost two-thirds of all deaths in Southeast Asia. In 2021, nearly half of the deaths from non-communicable diseases occurred prematurely between the ages of 30 and 69 years.
(The figures do not include the Philippines which is a part of WHO Western Pacific Region. It does include most of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, such as Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam.)
In response to the dire situation, WHO launched the Southeast Asia 2022-2030 Roadmap to provide strategic directions. They include two action plans — for oral health and eye care.
The roadmap emphasizes the continuing high burden of disease and death caused by non-communicable diseases. The roadmap also covers the large number of untreated cases of dental caries and oral health conditions, and challenges in the provision of comprehensive eye care.
According to the WHO, oral diseases are among the most common non-communicable diseases in Southeast Asia.
Cases of untreated dental caries (tooth decay), severe periodontal (gum) diseases and edentulism (the total loss of teeth) affect more than 900 million people, according to WHO estimates. That was in 2019, and the numbers could be much higher today.
Southeast Asia has the highest oral cancer incidence and mortality rates among all WHO regions. The disease burden also shows strong inequalities with higher prevalence and severity in poor and disadvantaged populations.
The Action Plan for Oral Health in Southeast Asia 2022-2030 provides guidance to member countries to develop what WHO calls “impactful” national actions to improve oral health within universal health coverage.
The action plan also provides for the “equitable access to high-quality, comprehensive eye health services to achieve universal eye health by 2030.”
Member countries of WHO’s Southeast Asia Region, on their part, are committed to accelerate progress against non-communicable diseases and provide adequate technical support. They are resolved to accelerate progress for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, including oral and eye care.
“The region must build on the progress made in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases,” said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director. “Though trends are in the right direction, we need to accelerate efforts to achieve goals.”
He said decisive leadership and political commitment can provide the policy and legislative frameworks needed to integrate high-quality, comprehensive oral health and eye health services in primary health care to achieve the targets.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De La Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./WDJ