"Now that commitments are in place, all stakeholders in the NCD response are seeking out good practice and 'what works' in NCD governance, prevention, treatment and surveillance. We must identify and share good practice from all corners of the world on NCD policy and practice, and increase access to knowledge and innovations that will enhance policy, service delivery and financing mechanisms.
"The health risks to which tobacco exposes people are well known now, and so also the growing interplay between TB and diabetes. We have seen the world galvanised into action around the deadly effects of tobacco: A global framework convention, increased tobacco taxes to discourage use and to fund educational programmes, highly effective mass-media campaigns, strict limits on advertising and promotions, the commitment of significant resources to encourage people to adapt healthier lifestyles -- all this and more has happened in a relatively short time. It will happen too, as we drive the world toward adapting programmes, policies and behaviours that attenuate the risk factors associated with NCDs.
"It is important for health authorities of LMIC to prioritise their resources and political commitments to address these issues. As an alliance of more than 2,000 civil-society organisations working in 170 countries to combat NCDs, the NCD Alliance has considered thoughtfully how to best ensure that we continue to assist governments in providing information and advocacy so that NCDs receive appropriate share of the financial resources. We will strive to identify and share good practices from all corners of the world on NCD policy and practice and increase access to knowledge and innovation to advance these policies.
"The media is an important part of this great effort and I am counting on their support to help us accomplish this goal. It is very central to our belief in the power of strategic partnerships. Also without active participation and advocacy of civil society at global level, it will be difficult to ensure success in battling this epidemic.
"Dr. Martin Luther King had once said--'We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now'. This applies to our times and to our work too."
Shobha Shukla, CNS
(The author is the Managing Editor of CNS and can be followed on www.citizen-news.org and Twitter @Shobha1Shukla)
- Shared under Creative Commons (CC) Attribution License
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
