A workshop on the launch of the collaborative regional plan for the national multisectoral strategy on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (2018-2025) was held on Wednesday in Tunis, at the initiative of the Primary Health Care Directorate in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) office in Tunis, targeting all the regional health directorates. The workshop was an opportunity to emphasise the importance of the collaborative approach in achieving prevention objectives through awareness-raising, education on health risk behaviours, increasing coordination between all regions and promoting community health, according to a Health Ministry press release. Health Minister Ali Mrabet underlined in this connection, the key role of prevention in protecting the health of individuals and society, and in raising awareness of the dangers of smoking and drug use. He also pointed to the need to adopt a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity, comm ending the efforts of all the stakeholders involved in promoting the prevention of non-communicable diseases. WHO's representative in Tunisia Ibrahim Zik underscored for his part, the need for close cooperation in managing the risks associated with these diseases, considering that prevention is essential if development is to be achieved. The main goal of this action plan is to step up collaboration between regional health departments in order to achieve common objectives in the fight against non-communicable diseases, and to draw up an integrated awareness, prevention and healthcare plan for an effective and sustainable response to these diseases, thereby strengthening the health of society as a whole. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse