It is 10 years passed since Pacific Ministers declared that the Pacific is facing NCD crisis at Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in 2011. It is the same year, when NCD has been brought to Global Agenda and high-level UN commitments and summits. Since then Vanuatu along with other countries committed to reach nine voluntary global NCD targets by 2025 (to reduce NCD related premature death by25%)and then SDG target by 2030 (reduce by one third premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being).
Thus, the Government of Vanuatu through implementation of the multisectoral NCD Policy and Strategic Plan 2016-2020 has targeted a key components of national health response towards NCD crisis in Vanuatu which are – governance, health-in-all policy approach, health system NCD risk factors and underlying causes and surveillance. Other guiding documents are Vanuatu NCD roadmap and Vanuatu MANA dashboard to monitor Vanuatu progress to meet 9 voluntary targets and SDG targets by 2030.
As with the previous approach, it is with great pleasure to present this Vanuatu 3rd National NCD Policy and Strategic Plan for 2021-2030 acknowledging the complexity of nature for NCD development which starts from early childhood to adulthood which require strong multisectoral collaboration to address multi facets of these chronic diseases. I encourage all to work with us in implementing and closely monitoring this Policy to halt the current prevalence of NCDs and prevent our younger generation from consequences and complications of NCD.
Read the Vanuatu Non-Communicable Disease Policy and Strategic Plan 2021-2030 here.