It’s time for political leaders in the Eastern Mediterranean to place NCDs at the top of their agendas, experts stressed at the launch of the report of the WHO Independent High-Level Commission on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

NCDs kill 2.5 million people annually in the Middle Eastern region and 41 million people worldwide, points out the report, Time to Deliver.

“The burden of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity and other NCDs is becoming ever more prominent in the region." - Dr. Ibtihal Fadhil, Chair of the Eastern Mediterranean Noncommunicable Disease Alliance.

“The burden of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity and other NCDs is becoming ever more prominent in the region,” said Dr. Ibtihal Fadhil, Chair of the Eastern Mediterranean Noncommunicable Disease Alliance.  “Taking decisive action on NCDs will not only save lives, but also lower health spending, improve economies and accelerate sustainable development,” she added at the launch on 10 September.   

The High-level Commission was convened by the WHO Director-General in October 2017 to advise him on how countries can accelerate progress towards achieving SDG target 3.4.

NCDA supports recommendations

The NCD Alliance strongly supports the Commission's recommendations to governments to scale up resources commensurate with the NCDs’ burden, adopt a sharpened focus on implementing a priority set of cost-effective interventions, galvanise a more effective and meaningful engagement with civil society, and establish stronger accountability for commitments and resources.

“The NCD epidemic has erupted in low- and middle-income countries over the last 15 years and we need to take action quickly to save lives and prevent fragile health systems from collapsing,” said Dr. Sania Nishtar, Co-Chair of the High-Level Commission.
 

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