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UK (Commonwealth Union)_ Commonwealth health ministers, along with senior government officials, global health leaders, and civil society groups, convened in Geneva recently with the aim of exploring pragmatic interventions to bolster the health systems of nations, especially those that are small and susceptible, and to facilitate their effective recovery from external shocks. The ministerial meeting came at the right time, particularly as nations are in the advanced stages of negotiating the Pandemic Accord. Facilitated by the Government of Kiribati, the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (CHMM) centered its discussions on the theme: ‘Actionable Solutions to Building Resilience in Health Systems within the Commonwealth, with an Emphasis on Small and Vulnerable States’.
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The imperative of establishing robust and resilient health systems has been demonstrated through many ongoing endeavors across many Commonwealth nations. While progress has been made, further advancements are deemed necessary to fortify health systems against adversity. Accordingly, the flagship report of the Commonwealth, the Global Youth Development Index, highlighted a 1.8 percent enhancement in the health and wellbeing domain from 2010 to 2022, driven by improvements across five out of seven indicators. However, the report underscored the persistent requirement for substantial enhancements to ensure accelerated and equitable healthcare, aligning with the demographic shift towards an aging population.
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Led by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, the Secretariat’s delegation to the Geneva meetings underscores the gravity of the challenges at hand. In framing the forthcoming discussions, Secretary-General Scotland remarked on the imperative for nations to confront emerging and escalating threats. According to her, recent events underscore that health concerns transcend national boundaries and that their ramifications can attain global significance if not managed with due care and adequate resourcing. She added that the countries are now finding themselves at a critical juncture where human and planetary health intersect amidst the escalating challenge of climate change. She added, “These crises not only intersect but they exacerbate the impact and cost – both on the burden of the health care systems and on families and communities. We cannot combat them separately”.
Secretary-General Scotland further highlighted the heightened vulnerability of small and susceptible states, characterized by structural and geographic fragilities, limited resources, and an elevated susceptibility to external shocks and stressors. These states confront a plethora of challenges, underscoring the imperative of fortifying health systems to withstand and respond to emergencies effectively. She expressed hopes that the discussions in Geneva will foster a collaborative and comprehensive approach. Further, Secretary-General Scotland advocated for a paradigm shift, calling for an integrated approach that amalgamates evidence-based and sustainable solutions with expertise from the realms of health, climate, economics, and social welfare. She emphasized the necessity to move beyond traditional silos and prioritize the One Health approach, which places the wellbeing of all life forms and ecosystems at the forefront of collective endeavors.
The meeting preceded the 77th World Health Assembly, hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Accordingly, in conjunction with the WHO, the Commonwealth Secretariat will host a side event on May 26 to explore strategies for leveraging digital technologies to enhance the delivery of health services. Digital health provisions will be a focal point at this side event, where participants will share global perspectives to chart a pathway forward for numerous low and middle-income countries grappling with challenges in implementing digital health initiatives. The event will also feature the presentation of country case studies and a deliberation on critical measures to strengthen the Commonwealth’s Coalition on Digital Health.
Among the agenda items for the 36th CHMM is the escalating menace of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A recent report by the Commonwealth highlighted that the impact of NCDs is particularly high in the world’s small island developing states (SIDS), where 33 out of 42 are Commonwealth member countries. The Commonwealth’s SIDS exhibit some of the highest rates of diabetes and obesity globally, which are principal risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Hence, the Commonwealth bears a disproportionate burden of premature, preventable deaths attributed to NCDs, which, in turn, profoundly affect the prevalence of mental health issues and economic prosperity, posing a significant threat to sustainable development. Failure to prevent or effectively control these diseases will have dire repercussions on healthcare expenditures and labor productivity.
The spotlight on small and susceptible states at the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting assumes added significance as the Commonwealth Secretariat dispatches a delegation to Antigua and Barbuda for the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, also known as SIDS4. This focus resonates with the agenda of CHOGM 2024 in Samoa, underscoring the Commonwealth’s commitment to collective action towards resilience, sustainability, and a shared future. During her time in Geneva, the Commonwealth Secretary-General will engage in discussions with global health leaders, government ministers, senior officials, and other public figures to explore avenues for deepening ongoing partnerships and cooperation.
