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Combat Non-Communicable Diseases based on Healthy Island Vision
Apia, 3 September 2014
| Because of the potentially debilitating impacts of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Pacific island leaders declared a state of emergency for the Pacific in 2011. UNDP Administrator Helen Clark commented that the global NCD crisis is playing out most acutely in the SIDS. And as NCDs challenge public health, so does it make an impact on the overall sustainable human development. The Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi highlighted that sustainable development needs a healthy population. The Regional Director for Western Pacific of the Worlds Health Organization (WHO), Dr Shin Young-soo also contributed. He commented on the increasing number of young individuals dying from NCDs, leaving young families behind to fend for themselves. Combatting the impacts of NCDs need a whole-of-government approach, political leadership and commitment. The Pacific NCD partnership framework emphasises a multi-sectorial approach to reduce the NCD burdens within countries, within SIDS in the Pacific region and beyond. Director of Health and the National Public Health Advisor of Tokelau both participated and supported the views expressed at this event. |
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