Microsoft Word Report on who global Forum on ncds final 19 August 2011. doc

 

 

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The panellists identified several top priorities for the September high-level meeting.  Good 

leadership and political will are critical – we have the science and evidence, and the political 

will is now needed to act.  In this respect, it is essential to have Heads of State and 

government present, so that NCDs move beyond being just a health problem.  

Governments need to invest in surveillance to scope up the size of the problem and the 

potential impact on their health care systems.  Finally, there is enough evidence to begin to 

respond effectively, and we don't need all the funding available before responding – use the 

resources available and focus on the top priorities. 

 

 

IX. F

INAL 

P

LENARY 

S

ESSION

 

 

The final session of the day commenced with a summary of the key findings and messages 

by Sir Michael Hirst, President Elect of the International Diabetes Federation.  He 

commenced by commending WHO on convening the Forum and bringing together the wide 

range of stakeholders present. 

 

Sir Michael noted that there is a wide consensus that the full range of stakeholders needs to 

be engaged in addressing the challenge of NCDs, and they all have a part to play in the lead 

up to the high-level meeting and in implementing the agreed outcomes.  However, an 

outstanding challenge remains in getting the different stakeholders to work together 

effectively and sustainably at national and regional levels. All stakeholders – governments, 

NGOs, the private sector and the public – need to show leadership to ensure they play their 

part in addressing NCD prevention and control. Effective advocacy from all stakeholders 

will be essential, including emphasizing that there are short-term wins in tackling NCDs as 

well as 

 

There was wide consensus that whatever outcomes are agreed at the UN high-level meeting 

on NCDs: these need to measured and monitored and this will require agreed targets for 

NCD prevention and control.  Sir Michael observed that all groups emphasized the 

importance of strengthening health systems and that NCDs need to be integrated better into 

health systems and up-skilling health professionals to deal with NCDs. The needs of migrant 

populations need to be considered and early intervention is vital, for example through 

identifying managing pre-diabetes. 

 

He referred to the call from the private sector for appropriate incentives, which will be 

important if their contribution is to be sustainable.  There is little disagreement that the 

private sector actors have a role to play, and ways need to be found to better involve them.   

 

Proper surveillance is essential to ensure governments know the size of the problem and 

their progress in addressing it, as is research to improve the implementation of effective 

interventions.  The role of regulation, whether self-regulation or government regulation, had 

been raised in several sessions. 

 

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The need for identifying resources to achieve the outcomes of the high-level meeting was 

emphasized.  Poverty needs to be explicit consideration. Faith-based organizations are an 

important source of resources for NCD prevention and control worldwide.   

 

Finally, it will be critical to have high-level representation at the September high-level 

meeting, which will ensure the best possible outcomes.  Likewise, it will be vital to mobilize 

others beyond the NCD sector: NCDs are a major public health challenge, and it is up to 

everybody to play their part in addressing this challenge. 

 

 

In her closing comments, WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan thanked the Russian 

Federation for its financial and political support for both the Forum and the Ministerial 

Conference that followed.  Dr Chan reiterated that there would be a report on the Forum 

that would be provided to the Ministers at their Conference on Friday to inform their 

preparations for the high-level meeting 

 

She affirmed the significance of the Forum as an important event to encourage the input of 

various stakeholders.  The Forum is a step to WHO becoming more inclusive, allowing it to 

hear the different voices and ensure that they are able to inform the decisions of Member 

States.   

 

Dr Chan reiterated that non-communicable diseases can be tackled only by including all 

parties, including civil society organizations, patients’ organizations, professional groups, and 

the private sector.  

 

The role of the private sector is one that will continue to create debate, given the diversity of 

views on the topic including among Member States. Dr Chan pointed out that the private 

sector is not the only group with a potential conflict of interest – all groups have interests 

but that this does not mean those groups cannot be a part of the discussions, aside from the 

tobacco industry.  The important point is that interests be declared and appropriately 

managed.  Dr Chan reiterated that she guards WHO's independence very carefully. 

 

Dr Chan referred to several of the interventions made during the report back session, 

supporting the work of the Young Professionals Chronic Disease Working Group who 

labeled NCDs the "HIV of our generation".  She also affirmed the role of nurses as key 

members of the health professional team, and noted that all members of the team are 

essential. In reference Mental health is a very important issue, including for WHO. 

 

In response to the idea of including NCDs in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), 

Dr Chan asked participants why they "would want to board a train that left the station ten 

years ago".  NCDs are important enough in their own regard to warrant a distinct and 

dedicated initiative.  Likewise, we only now have the baseline data required to monitor 

progress on key indicators, as included in the WHO Global Status Report 2011 released at 

lunchtime that day. 

 

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