Road Town, Tortola - Chief Medical Officer Dr. Irad Potter has reacted positively to the adoption of a United Nations (UN) resolution on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.
Last Thursday, the member states of the United Nations adopted the resolution by consensus, and expressed common agreement that there is now an urgent need to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which have become the leading causes of death around the world. “This is worthy of celebration,” Dr. Potter said.
According to the chief medical officer, the recently adopted resolution reflects recognition of the growing challenges presented by non-communicable diseases, especially in low and middle-income developing countries such as the British Virgin Islands, where illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases significantly affect populations.
“Increasing evidence shows that the scourge of these diseases is far more than an issue of public health; for much of the world, it is a fundamental developmental challenge,” the chief medical officer noted, adding that UN member states have been working closely with the World Health Organisation and the Pan American Health Organisation on this initiative.
The resolution was introduced by member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and was sponsored by over 100 UN members. Its introduction was a direct result of calls made by CARICOM heads of states and governments of the Commonwealth of Nations for a summit to address the issue on chronic non-communicable diseases on the economies and societies of developing countries in particular.
Recognising the need for urgent collaboration at the highest political level to address the prevalence, morbidity and mortality of chronic non-communicable diseases globally and to raise the priority accorded to those diseases particularly in areas such as development cooperation, the resolution calls for the convening of a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly in September 2011, with the participation of government leaders.
The resolution also links to the addressing of NCDs to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals, underscoring both the health and developmental consequences of NCDs. Adoption of this resolution is a milestone achievement and signifies the interest of member states in taking early and appropriate action to help shape a coordinated response to NCDs and their diverse impacts.
British Virgin Islands News