Samoa Leads the Charge Against NCDs: A Commonwealth Commitment

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 150 million premature deaths among individuals aged 30 to 70, particularly in developing Commonwealth nations. These diseases include cardiovascular conditions, 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 commitment to addressing these health challenges and enhancing mental health support.

The event, titled “Weaving a Healthy Commonwealth Aiga for Combating Non-Communicable Diseases and Promoting Mental Health,” was organized in collaboration with Samoa’s Ministry of Health, the WHO Representative Office in Samoa, and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The gathering underscored the necessity of robust political commitment, partnerships, and community engagement in combating the global health challenges presented by NCDs and mental health matters.

Dr. Kim Eva Dickson, WHO representative for Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau, emphasized that addressing NCDs and mental health is a collective responsibility. “It requires the devoted involvement of the whole-of-government and whole-of-society. By collaborating across various sectors and harnessing community strengths, we can significantly alleviate the burden of NCDs and mental health conditions,” Dr. Dickson stated.

Professor Dr. Alec Ekeroma, Director General of Health, showcased Samoa’s distinctive approach. He noted, “The Ministry of Health has successfully rolled out the ‘Package of Essential NCD Services (PEN) Fa’a Samoa’ in our communities, demonstrating our firm commitment to addressing NCDs and mental health issues.”

He added, “We are continually exploring innovative ways to enhance our partnerships with other sectors to combat NCDs and improve mental health. The Samoan government is dedicated to nurturing these collaborations to achieve sustainable and significant health outcomes for our population.”