Table 1 Priority-setting criteria for NCD surveillance at first referral hospital. We considered all conditions included in the Mozambique’s NCD Control Plan and added COPD and Mental Illnesses

Arterial Hypertension

33% prevalence in adults nationwide 2005 [1]

39% prevalence in adults nationwide 2015 [3]

Low rate of control

High burden; high cost for the individual and the health system; high morbidity and mortality

Easily recognizable;

Initial target of national action plan

Stroke

1.7 strokes/day with high mortality rate [2]

High morbidity and mortality; high cost for the individual and the health system; Poor management

Easily recognizable

Diabetes

2.9% prevalence in adults nationwide 2005 [3]

7.8% prevalence in adults nationwide 2015

Low rate of control

High burden; high morbidity and mortality; high cost to the individual and the health system; Poor management

Tools available for diagnosis;

Initial target of national action plan

Cancers

Cervical first cause of cancer in women [12, 13]

Prostate

Breast

High burden on national registries

Preventable infection with vaccine

Screening available;

Poor management

VIA test in place

Easily recognizable

PSA

Mammography

Asthma

13.3% prevalence in 67y and 13-14y [14]

2nd reason for in-patient treatment in Maputo

High burden on individuals and health system; high morbidity; Poor management

Easily recognizable; Target of national action plan

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

No data available in the literature [15]

High use of biomass fuels; Need to assess role of occupational health; High prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis

Tools available for diagnosis

Mental Illnesses

Alcohol abuse [16]

Epilepsy [17, 18]

Depression/Suicide [19]

Psychosis

High burden; High proportion of hospital admissions; High cost on individual and health system; Poor management

Target of national action plan; doctors & mental health clinical officers deployed;