WHO, Ghana and Norway agree to step up life-saving actions in first international strategic dialogue on non-communicable diseases and sustainable development goals

The WHO welcomes the establishment of a new group of Heads of State and Government to accelerate progress towards the SDG’s goal of noncommunicable diseases ̶ reducing one-third of “premature” deaths from diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart and lung disease and promoting mental health and well-being.

The decision was made at the inaugural International Strategic Dialogue on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Sustainable Development Goals, held today in Accra, Ghana, where a new Global Compact on Noncommunicable Diseases was launched. The dialogue was co-hosted by the WHO, along with the governments of Ghana and Norway.

Heads of State highlighted the urgency of the NCD pandemic, which kills 7 out of 10 people in the world due to risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and air pollution.

NCDs can be largely prevented and treated, nearly 7 million lives could be saved for just $ 0.84 per person per year from now until 2030. This investment would generate more than $ 230 billion in economic and social benefits and prevent nearly $ 10 million heart attacks and stroke globally by 2030.

The Group of Heads of State and Government has announced that it will bring together countries advocating for the NCD program and will meet each year at the UN General Assembly. The first meeting is expected to take place in September 2022.

The NCD Compact will focus on five key areas of commitment:

• save the lives of 50 million people from premature death from NCDs by 2030 by implementing the most cost-effective measures to prevent and control NCDs;
• protecting the 1.7 billion people living with NCDs by ensuring they have access to the medicines and care they need during humanitarian emergencies;
• integrating NCDs into primary health care and universal health coverage;
• comprehensive supervision and monitoring of NCDs; and
• significant engagement of 1.7 billion people living with inseparable diseases and mental health problems in policy making and programming.

The economic as well as health benefits of investing in NCDs were a clear topic of the Dialogue. Norway has taken the lead in investing 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, highlighted Ghana’s success in implementing tobacco demand reduction measures and introducing guidelines to manage NCDs, but also highlighted the challenges for lower-income countries in accelerating action.

Statements from the meeting:

Mr Nana Addo Dankwa Afuko-Addo, President of Ghana:

“Combating the NCD phenomenon requires leadership to make the NCD problem visible. I ask my colleagues at the head of state to join me as we establish a presidential (non-binding) group and as we find solutions for NCDs with a general health coverage plan and sustainable development goals. In our time, it will be our legacy. ”

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization:

“Apart from the lives they take, NCDs have a heavy tax in the economies, reducing people in their most productive years. Overcoming this challenge requires technical, financial and, above all, political commitment. I thank the governments of Norway and Ghana for establishing the first Global Group of Heads of State and Government for NCDs and launching the Global Agreement on NCDs 2020-2030. ”

Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Norway:

“Investing in stronger health systems, service delivery and NCD prevention will make vulnerable populations more resilient to COVID-19 and future pandemics. It is also vital to promote universal health coverage. NCD prevention and access to treatment and drugs must be a key component in efforts to improve pandemic preparedness and response, and in better construction in post-pandemic recovery. ”

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, Regional Director of the World Health Organization for Africa:

“Non-communicable diseases account for almost a third of deaths in Africa, where they not only pose a serious threat to health and well-being, but also slow socio-economic development. The commitment made today marks a key step in accelerating progress in the fight against these diseases and their risk factors, as well as the suffering and death they cause. ”