150 Million Die from NCDs in Commonwealth Countries

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) account for 150 million premature deaths among individuals aged 30 to 70, primarily in developing Commonwealth countries. They include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

In response to the urgent issue of NCDs, government leaders and multi-stakeholder partners gathered on Friday at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, to reaffirm their commitment to tackling these diseases and promoting mental health.

The event, titled “Weaving a Healthy Commonwealth Aiga for Combating Non-Communicable Diseases and Promoting Mental Health,” was organised collaboratively by Samoa’s Ministry of Health, the WHO 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.

King Charles and Queen Camilla delight in a heartwarming moment with young and old alike at the Samoa Tourism Authority’s Culture Village. They immersed themselves in the rich tapestry of authentic Samoan traditions and customs, reveling in the colourful performances and warm hospitality showcased at the Cultural Centre.

WHO representative to Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau Dr Kim Eva Dickson said: “Tackling NCDs and mental health is not just a job for the health sector. It requires the dedicated involvement of the whole-of-government and whole-of-society. By working together across different sectors and tapping into community strengths, we can significantly reduce the burden of NCDs and mental health conditions.”

Director general of Health, Professor Dr Alec Ekeroma, highlighted Samoa’s unique approach.

“The Ministry of Health has successfully introduced the ‘Package of Essential NCD Services (PEN) Fa’a Samoa’ into our communities, demonstrating our strong commitment to tackling NCDs and mental health issues,” Dr Ekeroma said.

“We continue to seek innovative ways to strengthen our partnerships with other sectors to reduce NCDs and improve mental health. The Samoan government is dedicated to fostering these collaborations to ensure sustainable and impactful health outcomes for our people.”

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