Opening of Training on STEPS Survey: MoH UM gave an opening speech at the opening ceremony

The Opening Ceremony of the training for initiative of Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factor Survey (STEPS Survey-2024) was held at the theater of Myanmar National Center for Disease Control and Training School on 24thOctober.

Union Minister for Health Professor Dr. Thet Khine Win gave an opening speech. In his speech, the Union Minister said that according to the data of the World Health Organization, approximately, 41 million of people died due to the Noncommunicable Diseases annually, it is 74 percent of all deaths worldwide and in Myanmar there were increasing of hospitalizing due to the Noncommunicable Disease.

Furthermore, he noted that the half of hospitalized patients die due to the Noncommunicable Disease according to the survey of 2023.  Moreover, The Union Minister also emphasize to ensure accessible healthcare for non-communicable diseases in rural areas, health departments are operating weekly clinics for diabetes and hypertension screening and treatment.

They are also providing necessary medications and supplies. Conducting the STEPS Survey will greatly support the planning and implementation of programs aimed at preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases within the community.

All responsible individuals are urged to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the STEPS Survey (2024) collective efforts this year. The training will be conducted in three batches within the period from 23rd October to 2nd November.

The STEPS Survey (2024) will be conducted across 13 regions/states. Previous surveys studying the prevalence of non-communicable diseases among the population in Myanmar were carried out in 2003, 2009, and 2014. This survey is a straightforward and easy-to-administer tool that collects data on behavioral risk factors related to health and biological risk factors.