Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 150 million preventable deaths among individuals aged 30 to 70, mainly in developing Commonwealth nations. These include conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.
In light of the pressing issue of NCDs, government officials and various stakeholders convened on Friday at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, to reaffirm their dedication to addressing these health challenges as well as promoting mental well-being.
The event, themed “Weaving a Healthy Commonwealth Aiga for Combating Non-Communicable Diseases and Promoting Mental Health,” was jointly organized by Samoa’s Ministry of Health, the WHO Representative Office in Samoa, and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The gathering underscored the significance of robust political will, collaboration, and community engagement in addressing the global health challenges posed by NCDs and mental health issues.
Dr. Kim Eva Dickson, the WHO representative to Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau, emphasized that addressing NCDs and mental health is not solely the responsibility of the health sector. “It requires the dedicated involvement of the whole-of-government and whole-of-society. By collaborating across various sectors and leveraging community strengths, we can substantially alleviate the burden of NCDs and mental health conditions,” she stated.
Professor Dr. Alec Ekeroma, the Director-General of Health, highlighted Samoa’s innovative approach. He mentioned that the Ministry of Health has successfully implemented the ‘Package of Essential NCD Services (PEN) Fa’a Samoa’ within local communities, reflecting their strong resolve to combat NCDs and mental health concerns.
“We are continually looking for creative ways to enhance our partnerships with other sectors to mitigate NCDs and bolster mental health. The Samoan government remains committed to nurturing these collaborations to ensure sustainable and meaningful health outcomes for our population,” Dr. Ekeroma concluded.
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