Welcome to the second June NCD Newsletter which focuses on vulnerable populations such as migrants, refugees and those in prison. The Global Consultation on the Health of Refugees and Migrants was a platform for multi-sectoral dialogue on refugee and migration health while the Health in Prisons and Places of Detention International Conference focused on health in prison. Finally, don’t miss a chance to join WHO Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Diabetes: without expert advice WHO cannot produce quality work. 

13–15 June: Hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat, the Third Global Consultation was a meaningful and sustained platform for multi-sectoral dialogue on refugee and migration health. Building upon previous forums and commitments, including the WHO Global Action Plan on Promoting the Health of Refugees and Migrants 2019-2023, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and its first revision process, the International Migration Review Forum, and the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), the Third Global Consultation assessed progress and good practices in promoting the health and well-being of refugee and migrant populations, considered emerging and persistent challenges, fostered implementation of key priorities, and built further political commitment on the way forward. Its purpose was to inform policy decisions and implement appropriate interventions to improve, protect and preserve the health and well-being of refugees and migrants, as well as host communities. 

For further information contact Evenement Voyage

Health in Prisons and Places of Detention Conference

Health in Prisons and Places of Detention International Conference

The WHO Health in Prisons Programme, which is part of WHO/Euro's Special Initiative on NCDs and Innovation, held a conference on June 20 & 21, hosted by, and organized jointly with, the UK Health Security Agency. The 2023 Health in Prisons and Places of Detention International Conference took place in London and focused on "Making prisons and places of detention resilient to infectious diseases, including epidemic and pandemic threats". You can find the conference programme here and full details of the event are available on the conference website. Beyond those working on prison health and infectious diseases, this conference was also of interest to people involved in the areas of vaccination, health system strengthening, continuity of care, access to medicines, digital health and workforce.  

For more information contact: The UK Health Security Agency

These webinars are designed to provide valuable insights to a wide range of individuals with an interest in alcohol and its impact on public health. The webinars feature leading experts in the field and give an opportunity to gain knowledge, engage with experts and contribute to the discourse surrounding alcohol and public health in Europe & beyond.

• 🗓️ Webinars are held regularly from 30 May to 4 September 2023. The next webinar is on 15 June 2023.
• ⏰ Each webinar lasts for 60 minutes.
• 🌐 The webinars will be conducted in English.
• 🆓 Attendance is absolutely free of charge!
• 📝 Prior registration is required here: Webinar Registration - Zoom

Even if you are unable to attend a webinar in real-time, recordings of each session will be made available on the WHO/Europe website: Webinar series: Alcohol and Public Health (open for all) (who.int) 

The first webinar is “Alcohol and the Sustainable Development Goals: what are other relevant dimensions beyond health? “ 

For further information contact: OLSEN, Aleksandra 

REGIONAL SUMMARY OF GLOBAL ORAL HEALTH STATUS

LAUNCH EVENT OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONAL SUMMARY OF THE WHO GLOBAL ORAL HEALTH STATUS REPORT 

8 June: WHO published the Western Pacific Regional Summary of the WHO Global Oral Health Status Report, based on the findings of the Global Oral Health Status Report. This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the oral disease burden and its impact over the life course, as well as challenges and opportunities in the Region. A launch event was hosted by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Translation of Oral Health Science, Niigata University, Japan. Approximately 300 participants attended the event, which featured Ministerial Statements from Australia, Malaysia, and Vanuatu. Additionally, panel presentations were given by speakers from Cambodia, China and Fiji. To disseminate the findings of the regional summary, WHO WPRO published a news release drawing attention to the alarming situation of oral disease burden in the Region. Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Acting Regional Director for the Western Pacific emphasized that “Countries must work together with communities, civil society and the private sector to achieve ambitious targets of Global Oral Health Action Plan towards Universal Health Coverage for oral health by 2030”.   

For further information contact: Gato Borrero  

13 June: A virtual panel "From Plan to Action: Increasing Access to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Medicines and Supplies" featured regional advisors in Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes, and Transplants. The objective of this virtual panel was to feature an interactive conversation with the regional experts about the latest developments in their respective areas and how countries can take advantage of PAHO’s existing tools to increase access to quality medicines and other health products for NCDs. The event closed by demonstrating the capabilities and vision of the new PAHO Member State Portal, a virtual platform to serve better the needs of the Ministries of Health and other public health entities in the Region of the Americas and to support the regional demand consolidation, a key process for participants to obtain affordable prices and timely supply.

For further information contact Rosende

9 June: The Pan American Health Organization High-level Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19 has developed a report called "New Agenda for Mental Health in the Americas" (NAMHA). The report is a package of priority mental health policy and strategic actions that are crafted for incorporation into countries’ post-pandemic recovery strategies. NAMHA outlines 10 recommendations with corresponding action points and case examples from the Americas that highlight successful models to guide implementation. NAMHA presents evidence-based approaches to address the crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic in the short term while laying robust foundations for the longer term to ensure optimal improvements in mental health care in the Region of the Americas.   

For further information contact Hennis, Dr. Anselm 

The future of mental health in the Western Pacific

Regional framework for the future of mental health in the Western Pacific 2023-2030

13 June: Good mental health is integral to the well-being of everyone. Promoting and protecting mental health is also critical to a well-functioning society. The Regional Framework for the Future of Mental Health in the Western Pacific 2023–2030 is envisioned to support Member States in designing national strategies, plans, and policies on mental health, to strengthen political advocacy for greater resources and commitment, and to encourage coordination and collaboration among partners in order to build back better and fairer, creating mental health systems that are more resilient for the future. 

WHO Partners Forum 2023 

WHO/Europe convened a Partners Forum in Türkiye, for leading health contributors from across Europe, the Caucasus and central Asia.

13–14 June, Türkiye: WHO/Europe convened the first-of-its-kind Partners Forum in Istanbul, Türkiye, for leading health contributors from across Europe, the Caucasus and central Asia. For a day and a half, over 100 representatives came together to enhance our health sector partnerships with a series of panel discussions and presentations on the key health and well-being challenges being faced across the WHO European Region. Taking advantage of the current momentum for public health, the Partners Forum provided a platform to consider a wide range of expertise and perspectives, to explore genuine opportunities for sustainable health funding across the Region, and ultimately to strengthen partnerships, both new and well established.  

For further information contact the Türkiye office

WHO is seeking experts to serve as members of the Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Diabetes (TAG-D).  TAG-D was established in 2021 to act as an advisory body to WHO and supplements the efforts of the WHO Global Diabetes Compact which has the vision of reducing the risk of diabetes and ensuring that all people who are diagnosed have access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable and quality treatment and care. TAG-D also helps inform broader WHO efforts towards the achievement of global coverage targets for diabetes. The TAG-D members have a broad range of technical knowledge and skills, including scientists, public health experts, healthcare professionals, innovators and policy-makers with expertise in diabetes.  

For further information contact: HEMMINGSEN, Bianca 

Australia Aid dialysis donation

US$ 250 000 Australia Aid dialysis machine donation will protect patients across Laos

31 May: An Australian Government-supported donation of five life-saving dialysis machines will support thousands of patients, and ensure a better quality of life, in Laos in provincial hospitals in the Bokeo, Xayabouly, Bolikhamxay and Xekong provinces. The machines were handed over today to Minister of Health HE Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith by Australian Embassy’s First Secretary Vanessa Hegarty and WHO Representative Dr Ying-Ru Lo at the Ministry of Health in Vientiane 

For further information contact CHRISCADEN, Kimberly