Statement by India at the 142nd Session of the Executive Board (EB) of the World Health Organization (22nd to 27th January 2018) on Agenda item 3.8: Preparation for the third High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases, to be held in 2018, delivered by Sh. Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. [WHO HQ, Geneva, 25th January 2018]

Thank you Mr. Chair.  

The epidemic of NCDs is a significant threat to achieve the SDGs.

2. Concerned about the rising NCD burden, India adopted the NCD Global Monitoring Framework to its national context and has developed the ‘National NCD Monitoring Framework and Action Plan’.

3. India has also developed a National Multi-sectoral Action Plan (NMAP) to guide efforts towards attaining the national NCD targets based on four strategic areas- Integrated and Multi-sectoral Coordination Mechanisms; Health Promotion; Health Systems Strengthening; Surveillance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Research. 

4.An expert group is constituted to support Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and other nodal agencies for implementation of evidence based strategies for reducing consumption of HFSS food and Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB). FSSAI is   taking comprehensive steps for consumer awareness generation through Safe and Nutritious Food (SNF) campaign.

5. Demerit goods such as tobacco products and sugary drinks are placed at the highest rates under the new Goods and Services Tax. India is a leader in tobacco control regulations with 85% pictorial warnings for cigarette packs and would request for stricter tobacco control laws at global level.

6. A population based programme has been developed for prevention, screening and management of common NCDs like hypertension, diabetes and common cancers like oral, breast and cervical.

Mr. Chair,

7. India proposes that WHO should lead the inter-sectoral coordination among various UN agencies on the issue of NCDs. WHO’s role in aligning priorities, advocacy and channelizing funding inter alia would be important.

Thank you .