Government's Health Policy Response to Non- Communicable Diseases in Zambia

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are an emerging global health concern. Reports have shown that in Zambia NCDs are also an emerging problem and the government has begun initiating a policy response. The study explored the policy response to NCDs by the Ministry of Health in Zambia using the policy triangle framework of Walt and Gilson. A qualitative approach was used for the study. Data collected through key informant interviews with stakeholders who were involved in the NCD health policy development process as well as review of key planning and policy documents were analysed using thematic analysis. The government’s policy response was as a result of international pronouncements and resolutions from WHO on NCDs, evidence of increasing disease burden from NCDs and pressure from local interest groups. The government recently developed the NCD strategic plan based on the WHO Global Action Plan for NCDs 2013-2030 to provide direction on how the government intended to address these conditions. During the development of the NCD strategic plan, the government through the Ministry of Health set the agenda and adopted the final document. Stakeholders including government line ministries, cooperating partners and non-governmental organizations participated in the development of the first draft of the document. Analysis of the policy process for the development of the NCD strategic plan showed that the process had the recommended key elements of successful policy development such as stakeholder participation and consultation, strong political will from the government and use of international guidelines. On the other hand, a root cause analysis of the policy process revealed that inadequate domestication of international guidelines, weak inter-sector collaboration and political influence resulted in the NCD strategic plan having gaps in its contents which are possibly contributing to the current challenges in implementing the plan. Contextual factors like international strategies and commitments are crucial catalysts to policy response. However there is need for adequate domestication of international guidelines according to available evidence to match the resources and capacities in the local context if policy measures are to be comprehensive, relevant and measurable.