From 27-29 April, the World Heart Federation participated in WHO’s Global Health Forum and first Global Ministerial Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and NCDs.  Johanna Ralston, CEO, attended the Global Health Forum, which took place on the 27th and brought together a group of stakeholders to discuss strategies for accelerating the prevention and control of NCDs as well as preparations and expected outcomes of the UN Summit. 

World Heart Federation Members Participate in the Global Ministerial Conference

The Global Health Forum informed the Ministerial Conference, which took place from the 28–29 April.  President, Prof. Sidney C. Smith Jr, who spoke on the Civil Society Roundtable, and Past-President, Prof. Pekka Puska, who spoke during the keynote address both attended the Ministerial Conference. Two World Heart Federation member organizations also participated in the Ministerial meeting, including Sania Nishtar, founder of Heartfile, who spoke on the Socio-Economic determinants roundtable, and Nancy Brown, CEO, of the American Heart Association.  WHO’s Global Status Report on NCDs was launched at the event.

The Moscow Declaration

Prior to the final day, the NCD Alliance was able to get a copy of the draft declaration, where it was realized that key messages had been overlooked, including:

1. No mention of early diagnosis and treatment
2. No mention of access to essential medicines and technologies
3. No mention of innovative financing and development assistance
4. Need for stronger emphasis on NCDs as part of the development agenda
5. Need for stronger emphasis on vulnerable populations
6. No mention of the need for global indicators and targets
7. Health systems strengthening mentioned only in the context of prevention

The NCD Alliance reached out to its network to encourage members of the Moscow Declaration Drafting Committee and those on national delegations to push for changes that addressed these omissions. Much of the language was successfully adopted, however, national representatives continue to dilute language around NCDs as a development priority.  Read the World Heart Federation’s analysis of the Moscow Declaration.

Read CEO Johanna Ralston's blog posts from Moscow