Global health bodies seek help over diseases

The group is led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Heart Federation (WHF).

The group is calling on governments to support a United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Non-Communicable Diseases.

The campaign began on May 19, 2009, when the IDF, WHF and IUAC held a joint event during the 62nd World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva Switzerland. The three federations, speaking as the global voices for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, joined together to highlight the urgent need to take action against the global epidemic of NCDs.

According to the group, though NCDs - including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes - claim more than 35 million lives each year and account for approximately 60 per cent of all deaths worldwide, they are largely overlooked and underfunded. They insist that preventing and controlling NCDs should therefore be a global health priority.

The campaign, which is sponsored jointly by the UICC, the IDF and the WHF is being supported by the ACS to address the burden of NCDs.

Also, the 63rd World Health Assembly (WHA) scheduled for May 17 to 21, 2010, in Geneva, Switzerland is to focus among others on the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005); the global strategy and plan of action regarding public health, innovation and intellectual property; the monitoring of the achievement of the health-related Millennium Development Goals; and the draft global code of practice on international recruitment of health personnel.

According to a statement by the ACS, a resolution is to be introduced at the United Nations, within the next few weeks, calling for a Special Session of the General Assembly on Non-Communicable Diseases (UNGASS).

Source: Chukwuma Muanya for The Guardian, April 27, 2010.