High-level government leaders and multi-stakeholder partners have pledged to strengthen their commitment to addressing non-communicable diseases and mental health.
They made the pledge at a side event held during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa, according to a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.
The event, titled “Weaving a healthy Commonwealth Aiga for combating NCDs and promoting mental health,” was jointly organised by the Ministry of Health, Samoa, the World Health Organisation Representative Office in Samoa, and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The event highlighted the importance of strong political commitment, partnerships, and community involvement in tackling the global health challenges posed by NCDs and mental health issues.
Participants from various sectors, including health, education, sports, finance, agriculture, trade, and media, shared their insights and strategies to create environments that promote healthier lifestyles and build more resilient health systems.
The statement noted that NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, are the leading cause of death in most countries, as they account for 150 million premature deaths among people aged between 30 and 70 years, most living in developing countries.
Highlighting Samoa’s unique approach, the Director General of Health, Prof Aiono Alec Ekeroma said, “The Ministry of Health has successfully introduced the ‘Package of Essential NCD Services Fa’a Samoa’ into communities, demonstrating our strong commitment to tackling NCDs and mental health issues.
