PH Highlights Efforts to Prevent and Control Non-Communicable Diseases

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III highlighted the country’s efforts to achieve the Philippines’ “health for all” vision during the Third United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in New York City on 27 September 2018. (New York PM photo)

NEW YORK 11 October 2018 — The Philippines showcased its government’s efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases to achieve “health for all” at the Third United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting (HLM) on Non-Communicable Diseases at the UN Headquarters in New York.

In his statement on 27 September, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to pursue innovative strategies, engage other actors, mobilize new resources, and break barriers to sustain the fight against the Non-Communicable Diseases.

“We believe that we were able to do it amidst strong commercial lobby for three main reasons: political will from different branches of government and at various levels, readiness of local evidence to advance technical dialogue, and lastly, strong partnership with civil society organizations who continuously challenge the status quo and keep us on our toes,” Secretary Duque said.

The Secretary also highlighted the country’s efforts towards this end such as the sin taxes policies, banning of unhealthy foods that are high in sugar fats, and salt in schools, and more recently the passage of the country’s Mental Health Act.

The HLM on Non-Communicable Diseases is a crucial rallying point to re-focus global attention on the need for all member countries to accelerate the collective resolve to prevent and control Non-Communicable Diseases, and save lives.

In addition to the HLM on Non-Communicable Diseases, Secretary Duque also represented the Philippines at the HLM on Tuberculosis, and in two side-events that the Philippines co-sponsored, namely the Side Event on Alcohol, NCDs, and Sustainable Development, and Side Event on Childhood Cancer. END

For more information, visit www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph/ www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/