THE 'GLOBAL COMPACT FOR NCDs' AND A NEW 'HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENTS GROUP'

BOTH LAUNCHED AT THE INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE ON NCDs AND THE SDGs!

WHO welcomes the establishment of a new Heads of State and Government Group to accelerate progress towards SDG target 3.4.1 for NCDs  ̶  a one-third reduction in premature deaths from diseases like diabetes, cancer, heart and lung disease and the promotion of mental health and well-being.

The Group was launched at the inaugural International Strategic Dialogue on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), held in Accra, Ghana. The dialogue was co-hosted by WHO, together with the Governments of Ghana and Norway. 

Heads of State highlighted the urgency to accelerate the national response to NCDs through the Global Group of Heads of State and Governments. NCDs accounts for 7 out of 10 deaths globally. Premature mortality can be reduced by better prevention and control through a set of best buys, focused on reducing risk factors and health system strengthening.

NCDs are largely preventable and treatable. Nearly 7 million lives could be saved for just US$ 0.84 per person per year from now until 2030. This investment would realize more than US$ 230 billion in economic and societal benefits and avert nearly 10 million heart attacks and strokes globally by 2030. 

The Heads of States and Governments Group announced that it will gather countries championing the NCD agenda and will convene annually at the UN General Assembly. The first meeting is expected to take place in September 2022. 

Alongside the group, a new Global Compact on NCDs was also launched. The NCD Compact will focus on five key areas of commitment: 

• saving, by 2030, the lives of 50 million people from dying prematurely of NCDs by implementing the most cost-effective measures to prevent and control NCDs;
• protecting 1.7 billion people living with NCDs by ensuring that they have access to the medicines and care they need during humanitarian emergencies;
• integrating NCDs within primary health care and universal health coverage;
• comprehensive NCD surveillance and monitoring; and
• meaningfully engaging 1.7 billion people living with NCDs and mental health conditions in policy-making and programming.

The economic, as well as the health, benefits of investing in NCDs was a clear theme at the Dialogue. Norway has been a frontrunner in investment in the fight against NCDs, investing internationally, becoming the first donor country to include NCDs in its international development strategy. 

Mr Nana Addo Dankwa Afuko-Addo, President of Ghana, outlined the successes of Ghana in implementing tobacco demand-reduction measures and introducing guidelines for NCD management, but also highlighted the challenges for lower-income countries in accelerating action.

Watch along to our recording of the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and the SDGs, including speeches on behalf of all Co-Chairs, and interventions from the Heads of State of Barbados, Thailand and Timor-Leste. Video interventions were also received and planned from the Government of Denmark, the Sultanate of Oman, Nepal and Viet Nam, and France's Ambassador for Global Health, which we will be sharing with you soon.

LAUNCH OF THE NORAD-WHO 'KENTE' INITIATIVE TO STRENGTHEN ESSENTIAL NCD SERVICES IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

In advance of the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and the SDGs, and to demonstrate national leadership and preparedness to walk the talk to prevent and control NCDs, Ghana launched its Policy and Strategic Plan on NCDs (2022-2026). The Policy and Strategic Plan seek to strengthen the health system for NCD prevention and control, reduce exposure to NCD risk factors, strengthen multisectoral collaboration and ensure sustainable funding mechanisms for the control of NCDs.

We thank Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Minister of Health, Her Excellency Ingrid Mollestad, Norway Ambassador to Ghana, and Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa (all pictured above with Dr Bente Mikkelsen, Director for NCDs at WHO HQ), for their strong support of the NCD agenda at the national strategic roundtable.

As part of the launch, the Norwegian Agency for Development Corporation (NORAD) and WHO together introduced the 'Kente' Project. The Kente Project aims to strengthen the delivery of basic NCDs services in the country, including the provision of essential health technologies to detect signs and symptoms of NCDs at the earliest, and most local stage.

Working across six health districts, it will be implemented by Ghana's Ministry of Health. You can learn more about one of the Kente implementing districts, Birim Central, below!

HOW THE 'KENTE' INITIATIVE IS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN GHANA: A PHOTO ESSAY

In Ghana's Eastern Region, Birim Central Municipal Health Directorate coordinates the three levels of primary health care: Community Health and Planning Services (CHPS), Health Centres and District Hospitals. It is one of six districts being supported by the 'Kente' Initiative. Credit: Daniel Hunt / WHO

Near Akin Oda is a Community Health and Planning Service. Dr Temo Waqanivalu, Unit Head, Integrated Service Delivery, NCD Department, WHO HQ, and Ghana Health Service Staff discuss ways to integrate NCD services in primary health care. Credit: Daniel Hunt / WHO

A Community Health and Planning Service staff member holds a glucometer, purchased with support from the Government of Norway. This allows the Service, near Akin Oda, to monitor the possible signs of diabetes among the community as the most local level. Credit: Daniel Hunt / WHO

A sample of non-digitized patient health records at Old Town Health Centre, Akim Oda, Eastern Region, Ghana. Credit: Daniel Hunt / WHO

The 'Kente' programme is a strong collaboration between the Government of Norway, Ministry of Health of Ghana and Ghana Health Service, and all three levels of WHO. Here, some of the team gather at a Community Health and Planning Service to witness NCD integration in primary health care in action! Credit: Daniel Hunt / WHO

Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for NCDs and Injuries, spoke at the International Strategic Dialogue on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of financing NCD interventions, including fiscal measures.

HOUSEKEEPING

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THE TWEETS WE RETWEET

• Read reporting on the International Strategic Dialogue in Health Policy Watch (April 2022)
• Read tweets from @DrTedros and @WHO explaining the critical importance of the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and the SDGs (April 2022)