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AFRICA
respectively). In Sudan, the prevalence of diabetes (15.7%)
is the highest after Egypt (17.3%) for those countries under
investigation and the rest of the world (8.6%) (Table 1).
Weaknesses
National guidelines to treat tobacco dependence are lacking, as
are locally relevant (national or sub-national) clinical guidelines
to detect and manage AF. A system to measure the quality of
care provided to people who have suffered acute cardiac events
is also not available. Although guidelines for diabetes have been
developed, its prevalence remains high.
Sustainable funding for CVD along with taxes on unhealthy
foods or sugar-sweetened beverages are lacking. Policies and
legislation banning the marketing of unhealthy foods to
minors and mandating clear and visible warnings on foods are
non-existent. There are no policies promoting diets and physical
activity to reduce CVD risk.
Priorities
Comprehensive interventions or programmes are needed to
address nutrition, physical inactivity and obesity among adults
and children, as has been done for tobacco control. Given the
high rates of obesity, overweight and diabetes, front-of-package
labelling and higher taxes are needed for unhealthy foods,
including sugar-sweetened beverages.
A percentage of the total annual government expenditure
should be set apart for cardiovascular healthcare, and the
benefits of CVD prevention and control for population health
and the economy need to be modelled.
This publication was reviewed by the PASCAR governing council and
approved by the president of the Sudan Heart Society.
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