Health system strengthening for the control of noncommunicable diseases and risk factors

Abstract

The United Nation's (UN) high-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in September 2011 created much-needed thrust for a global movement against preventable mortality, morbidity, and disability from NCDs. For the success of NCD prevention and control strategies, health system strengthening is crucial. Through this review, the health system was examined thoroughly to summarize the existing work done, identify shortcomings, and underpin way forward for NCD prevention and control. An in-depth review of literature was done using major search engines and various related journals. A search strategy was developed and employed to review published literature available through different search engines. Success stories from different domains of health system research were presented as case studies. The concept of universal health coverage was also discussed along with the strategies for its measurement. It was concluded that NCDs pose a major challenge and health system strengthening is critical to ensure the vision of UN sustainable development goals 2030.