Health Minister Cassanni Laville has called for swift and united responses to fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as they continue to pose a direct threat to socioeconomic development.
He was delivering remarks at the 76th Annual World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland this week under the theme: “WHO at 75: Saving lives, driving health for all.”
Non-Communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes, are the leading cause of death worldwide and represent an emerging global health threat.
The event is being held from May 21–30, 2023.
“We commit to resetting our healthcare system with more focus on primary and integrated healthcare to better address emerging realities,” he said. “NCDs continue to take prominence, claiming 41 million lives annually, compared to almost 7 million deaths in total from the entire Covid-19 Pandemic.”
Laville continued, “If NCDs are not the arch-enemy, then I do not know what is. We must execute swift and united responses.”
He pointed out that too many people retire in their thirties, not as millionaires, but victims of illness.
“But there is hope,” he said.
According to Laville, the levers of change are within reach of this assembly.
“Let’s bear the weight of responsibility ascribed by the people we serve and transition into higher gear together, so no country is left behind, for united we stand, divided we all fall,” he stated. “Let’s align these priorities as far as possible for the potential to succeed is better.”
He congratulated the World Health Organization (WHO) on leading during the Pandemic.
Laville made an appeal for a renewed approach to the long-standing NCD threat, but with stronger emphasis, greater urgency, and a visibly united voice.
The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.
Mr. Laville please do some serious work at our hospital in Dominica. What a mess it is in terms of care, service, medications and all. What is making our Health care fall so badly?.
I hope you told them how bad DA is in caring for the people in all the sicknesses you talk about. DO SOMETHING!
GOD IS WATCHING YOU ALL.