THE Organisation of American States (OAS) will, together with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, host a high level meeting in Washington, DC on September 30 under the heading of ‘Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) In the Americas: Awareness, Access, Action’.

This half-day event, to be held at the OAS headquarters, would discuss policy and practical mechanisms to raise awareness and address the prevalence of NCDs in the Americas. The meeting will take place on the sidelines of the week-long PAHO Directing Council meetings, and will bring together stakeholders from the healthcare industry, educators, medical groups, representatives of OAS member states, and other groups.

PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne will address a special private breakfast gathering for Health Ministers ahead of the official start of the meeting.

Addressing the prevalence of NCDs in the Americas, the PAHO Director pointed out: “The greatest burden of NCDs is falling on the poor and most vulnerable people in our societies; and the societal inequities associated with NCDs are worsened by the high out-of-pocket expenses that lead to catastrophic health expenditures.” Dr Etienne added: “Universal health coverage is a critical part of the solution to the NCD problem.”

Highlighting the obesity problem in the Region, the PAHO leader noted that during PAHO’s own Directing Council meeting this year, Ministers of Health from across the Americas will consider the Plan of Action for the Prevention of Obesity in Children and Adolescents.

“When implemented, it can contribute to the overall goal of a 25% relative reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025,” Dr. Etienne disclosed.

OAS Assistant Secretary, General Albert Ramdin said, “The OAS and PAHO have worked together on several issues, to raise awareness and provide access and information to member states on health-related challenges. The OAS meeting will be a demonstration of our partnership, and commitment to this issue at a wider political and social level. We acknowledge that tackling NCDs requires a multi-pronged approach, and discussions among all stakeholder groups are crucial if we are to achieve sustainable results.”

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is co-chairing the OAS event. Trinidad and Tobago’s Permanent Representative to the OAS, Ambassador Neil Parsan, emphasised that, “NCDs are no longer silent killers. NCDs threaten development, undermine progress, and they are becoming a front-burner issue not just for Trinidad and Tobago, but for the vast majority of countries and economies. We believe we must use all avenues and resources at our disposal to address this issue.”

Representatives of the private sector are among those working with the OAS on the “NCDs In the Americas: Awareness, Access, Action” event, and Assistant Secretary General Ramdin said, “No organisation can work in isolation. It is a responsibility for all of us.”
In this context, the OAS meeting will take place with the support of Medtronic and Medtronic Philanthropy as Event Partners, and GE as an Event Supporter.