Today, the first annual gathering of a Heads of State and Government Group for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), chaired by the President of Ghana was held during the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The convening underscored the urgent commitment needed to achieve the SDG 3.4 on NCD, which the World Health Organization (WHO) marked by rolling out its newest NCD report, “Invisible numbers: The true extent of noncommunicable diseases and what to do about them,” and a data portal tracking NCDs in all 194 WHO Member States.This momentum comes after the launch of the Global NCD Compact by the President of Ghana and the Prime Minister of Norway, during the International Strategic dialogue on NCDs.
In welcoming the Heads of State, WHO Global Ambassador of Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, Michael Bloomberg stressed the need for “world leaders [to] begin taking bold action, [otherwise] another 150 million people will die prematurely, from preventable deaths from NCDs over the next 10 years.”
To raise awareness and galvanize action for this often overlooked set of health issues, the chair of the group, Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo in opening the gathering, calls on his colleagues and countries to do what is necessary to fulfil the five specific time-bound commitments through Engage, Accelerate, Invest, Align and Account for actions on NCDs towards achieving related SDGs as contained in the Global NCD Compact 2020–2030.
Dr Tedros in welcoming the Heads of State and Government challenged them that on current trends, we will not reach the SDG 3.4 target without dramatic action and dynamic leadership at the highest political level. As such he has renewed the two-year appointment of Michael R. Bloombergas WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries.This marks Bloomberg’s third reappointment as Global Ambassador, having first been named to the role in 2016. Bloomberg noted his commitment to continue working alongside the WHO in the important fight against NCDs, at a time when NCDs are quickly becoming the biggest health issue in countries across the world, according to a new survey released by Gallup.
In concurrence with these sentiments, world leaders at the breakfast reflected on their experience implementing lifesaving public health measuresand underscored the importance of taking decisive actionto fulfil the NCD Compact, especially in low-and middle-income countries.
Ms Mia Amor Motley, Prime Minister of Barbados,noted "we are paying more lip service than attention. When 2025 comes, let it not be a summit which seeks to figure out what we might do in the future, but let us commit here this morning that we will walk the walk and talk the talk.”
The Prime Minister of Mauritius noted the importance of sensitization campaigns, backed by legislative frameworks and partnerships. In this regard, he stressed a point raised by several leaders including the Prime Minister of Tonga and Prime Minister of Samoa, on the importance of “those that have the know-how and technology to cooperate with smaller countries with lesser means,” underscoring the prevalence of NCDs in low-and middle-income countries.
The Prime Minister of Tonga emphasized the great need for population-based policies for prevention of NCD like taxation on sugar sweetened beverages and labelling laws for food items with education to empower the community with the knowledge and skills. Leaders also highlighted the links between addressing NCDs and other public health issues, noting the vulnerabilities which COVID-19 exposed in global health systems.Representing the G7, the State Secretary of Germany, Jörg Kukies, noted that the“COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of a strong and sustainable health care system, and access to pharmaceuticals, things like vaccinations, diagnostics, and health technologies. This is not only the case for NCDs and things causing premature death, butalso for communicable diseases.”
To this the President of Ghana and Prime Minister of Samoa spoke to the extension and strengthening of the health care systems to deliver NCD services through primary health care and maximizethe use of innovation and technology where appropriate. Building on the political will leaders expressed and to help accelerate action, Bloomberg noted that he would continue to maintain programmes created under his Ambassadorship, such as the Partnership for Healthy Cities. He also stressed his commitment to making major, long-term investment to combat the risk factors for noncommunicable diseases by reducing tobacco use, reducing obesity, eliminating trans fats, preventing cardiovascular disease, and strengthening road safety.
To the question of what can be done together as a group, the chairperson President Nana Akufo-Addo emphasized the need to finance the policies being discussed and to involve their spouses, the community and everyone in this endeavour.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals target 3.4 aims to reduce premature death from NCDs by a third by 2030. While every Member State of the United Nations has committed to reducing premature death from NCDs by one third by 2030 – few countries are currently on track to achieve it. However, it costs less than $1 invested per person per year until 2030 to save 50 million lives.