On the occasion of Universal Health Coverage Day on 12 December, the World Heart Federation joins partners around the world to support the No Empty Shelves campaign: calling for greater access to essential medicines and technologies for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
NCDs are a major health concern with significant social and economic implications. Four NCDs—diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease—are now the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Nearly 80 percent of NCD-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where essential medicines and technologies (EMTs) for NCDs are often unavailable.
Global targets have been set to decrease death and disability from NCDs by 25% by 2025. A critical success factor will be the availability of affordable basic technologies and essential medicines required to treat major NCDs.
Making these essential medicines and technologies available requires the collaboration of policymakers, global bodies, civil society, donors and the private sector. Together, we must use our skills and our voice to enable health and supply systems to provide safe and affordable EMTs for NCDs.
The World Health Organization has already set a target of 80% availability of these medicines and technologies in its Global Action Plan on NCDs. The No Empty Shelves campaign provides a clear Call to Action on achieving this aim – so we encourage our partners in heart disease and other development areas to join the movement.
