This statement was delivered by Dr. Shamim Hayder Talukder, our Advocacy Committee member for SEARO, at the Seventy-Seventh Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia
SEVENTY-SEVENTH SESSION OF THE WHO REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIA
AGENDA ITEM 9.6
Honourable Chair,
Distinguished Delegates,
The World Heart Federation applauds WHO and its Member States for the strides made in addressing noncommunicable diseases in the South-East Asia region.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for over 20.5 million deaths every year. A significant portion of cardiovascular conditions are preventable through the adoption of simple, cost-effective, and, in some cases, revenue-generating strategies. Nonetheless, effective implementation requires adequate investment in universal health coverage, as well as systems and services for NCDs.
In preparation for the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs, WHF calls on Member States to:
- Negotiate a bold Political Declaration on NCDs;
- Develop or strengthen National Cardiovascular Health Plans to secure sustainable funding and expand access to cardiovascular health services across the entire continuum of care;
- Ensure full implementation of policy commitments; and
- Support evidence-based actions for cardiovascular health.
In particular, we urge Member States to:
- Implement the Dhaka Call to Action, the SEAHEARTS initiative, and the WHO Best Buys;
- Adopt the WHO Air Quality Guidelines and support a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty;
- Implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control;
- Implement the WHO Global Action Plan on Alcohol;
- Ensure healthy eating for all; and
- Develop National Physical Activity Policies in line with the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity, ensuring robust implementation of the new Regional Roadmap for its execution.
We also wish to stress the importance of addressing the social, economic, commercial, and environmental determinants of health – particularly industry interference – to reduce the burden of NCDs in the region.
Thank you.
