High-level government leaders and partners met yesterday at a meeting during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, to renew their commitment to fighting noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and supporting mental health.
The event, called “Weaving a Healthy Commonwealth Aiga for Combating Noncommunicable Diseases and Promoting Mental Health,” was organised by the Ministry of Health in Samoa, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Participants from various sectors like health, education, sports, and media discussed how political commitment, partnerships, and community efforts can help address NCDs and mental health challenges. NCDs, including heart diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases, and diabetes, are the leading cause of death worldwide. These conditions are responsible for 150 million premature deaths in people aged 30 to 70, especially in developing countries.
Samoa’s Director General of Health, Professor Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma, explained how Samoa has introduced a program called “Package of Essential NCD Services (PEN) Fa’a Samoa” to tackle NCDs and mental health issues in local communities. He emphasised the need for collaboration across sectors to achieve long-term health improvements.
Dr. Kim Eva Dickson, WHO Representative to Samoa, stressed that fighting NCDs and improving mental health requires the involvement of not just the health sector but also other parts of society. Working together can significantly reduce the impact of these issues.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland also reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to addressing NCDs, emphasising the need for strong partnerships and shared responsibility.
The event also highlighted the importance of healthy ageing, and a report on this topic was presented. The event ended with renewed commitments from all sectors to continue working together to combat NCDs and support mental health efforts in the Commonwealth.
