UICC gathers cancer leaders to discuss outcomes of UN Summit on NCDs
The top five ‘take-home’ messages from the discussion
1. The Summit represents a seminal moment in the history of cancer. The event has been successful for the first time in placing cancer and other NCDs on the global political agenda, beyond the health sector, with a recognition that a whole of government and whole of society approach is required to fight the rising burden of NCDs. The cancer community is now ‘playing at a new level - another league’ and this should be celebrated.
2. Presenting a united front across different disease areas has been an important factor in the success achieved. The collaboration between different disease groups should be maintained moving forward. The NCD Alliance has been instrumental in creating cohesion and driving collaboration, and has achieved a great deal in a relatively short timeframe, including a strong media presence. The recognition of overlap with infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDs and the need for integration with existing health services across the board e.g. women and children’s health is now a powerful, shared and clear agenda for action moving forward to achieve the World Cancer Declaration targets by 2020.
3. The UN Political Declaration – while lacking important metrics for measuring progress and an accountability mechanism – does represent a basic roadmap for action which encompasses prevention, treatment and care and the human resources to deliver the services. The focus of the cancer community should now be on prioritising aspects of the Declaration, focusing on models which ensure regional differences are taken into account.
4. Collaboration across sectors and disciplines is essential. The continued involvement of the public, private and NGO sectors is crucial especially in the immediate future progressing the work on targets but also to push the economic message – we need a new spirit of accountability to avoid the US$ 47 trillion loss (75% of the global GDP in 2010 – to create a world which is very different.
5. The cancer community needs to engage the international development organisations engaged in the debate and activity. Accelerating the advocacy effort will help access development budgets as the UN Political Declaration has missed an opportunity to commit serious funds to NCDs. Recruitment of country champions and bilateral supporters are a priority.
You can read the full report by downloading the .pdf document below:
