Guyana to recommit to combatting NCDs at UN Meeting. 

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Guyana will be participating in the United Nations General Assembly’s third High-level Meeting on the prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This meeting is expected to take place on Thursday, September 27, 2018, in New York City.

The one-day review of the progress achieved in the prevention and control of NCDs will allow the participants to comprehensively discuss reducing the risk of dying prematurely from NCDs, as agreed at the First High-level Meeting in 2011 and reaffirmed at the Second High-level Meeting in 2014.

Guyana’s presentation at the High-Level Meeting will showcase a rededicated and renewed approach to how the country will address and combat the NCDs scourge. Also, the vision for a healthier nation outlined at this forum will reflect that of the Government of Guyana’s commitment through the Ministry of Public Health to have Guyanese be among the healthiest in the Caribbean.

In 2014, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Outcome Document on NCDs included four time-bound national commitments to be implemented in 2015 and 2016 to reduce risk factors for NCDs, provide better care for those with NCDs, and track trends and progress.

The structure of the forum is designed towards putting measures in place that protect people from dying too young from heart and lung disease, cancer and diabetes.

The theme of this year’s meeting is “Scaling up multi-stakeholder and multisectoral responses for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.

By: Delicia Haynes.