IAPO calls on WHO Member States to develop national action plans for the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases

Tuesday 21st January 2014 - 134th Session of the World Health Organization's Executive Board, Geneva.

IAPO delivered an intervention on Agenda Item 7.1: Follow up to the Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases. IAPO called on Member States to develop national action plans to ensure that progress is sustained at the national level, as well as highlighting the importance of patients being at the centre of all NCD strategies.

IAPO Intervention

"Thank you Chair. Honorable members of the Executive Board, distinguished delegates.

The International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO) is an alliance of patient groups that represents the interests of patients worldwide. We have over 200 members that span over 60 countries and 60 disease areas, representing an estimated 365 million patients.

WHO has made good progress in its work to prevent and manage NCDs globally. IAPO calls on Member States to develop national action plans to ensure that progress is sustained at the national level. IAPO urges Member States to implement the Global Action Plan’s principle that: "People and communities should be empowered and involved in activities for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases..." Those who are most affected by NCDs, patients, must be the centre of all NCD strategies.

IAPO welcomes the draft terms of reference for a global coordination mechanism (GCM) as a means to strengthen global and regional coordination to prevent and manage NCDs. The GCM’s objectives should be closely aligned to those in the Global Action Plan. The progress of the GCM should be measured and reported in line with the global monitoring framework to ensure coherence across WHO’s NCD strategy.

IAPO supports the inclusion of non-State actors as participants in the GCM. The values of equity and diversity are essential in ensuring that a wide range of civil society organizations, including patient groups, are incorporated in the GCM. All partners should have an equal voice within the GCM. Finally, IAPO requests that WHO provides further clarification on how the GCM will be financed. All stakeholders, regardless of financial status, must have the opportunity to participate.

IAPO is committed to supporting WHO in its efforts to prevent and manage NCDs globally.

Thank you."