JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Health ministers of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) members have over the weekend highlighted the importance of addressing non-communicable diseases commonly referred to as Lifestyle Diseases in recognition of the increasing burden they pose on the African region.

    During their meeting in Durban which ended on Sunday, the ministers have in this regard reaffirmed the commemoration of the regions first SADC Healthy Lifestyle Day in February 2009, according to the South African Press Association.

    The meeting, chaired by South African Health Minister Barbara Hogan, was aimed to review progress made in the implementation of the SADC Health Programme, and to consider strategic policy frameworks for addressing health challenges facing the region.

    Policy frameworks were also approved, more particularly on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, support for orphans and sexual and reproductive health.

    The meeting noted that there were significant progresses in the area of Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission and Anti Retroviral Therapy programs.

    All SADC health ministers reaffirmed their commitment to addressing outstanding challenges in improving the provision of health services and meeting global and continental commitments, also highlighting the importance of health researches.

    This was to inform and design evidence-based interventions as well as the development of new prevention technologies and new treatment.

    With regard to malaria, members continued to scale up the implementation of their Malaria programs.