Advocating for national kidney health action just got easier. The ISN has developed a one-page tool for advocating with government and health system stakeholders showing how they can support the national implementation of the WHO kidney health resolution.  

Download and share the one-pager  

Based on an ISN-led policy paper published in The Lancet in May 2026, the one-pager outlines five practical steps countries can take to move from commitment to implementation, emphasizing the need to embed kidney health into primary care, noncommunicable disease strategies, and universal health coverage, rather than building separate systems.  

Learn more about the ISN’s advocacy efforts or contact advocacy@theisn.org to get involved.

 

“By connecting policy, primary care, and health financing, we can help translate global commitments [for kidney health] into practical action and support progress in the lead-up to the 2027 UN High-Level Meeting on UHC.” Marcello Tonelli, co-author of the paper 

A new health policy paper published in The Lancet, led by ISN President Marcello Tonelli along with an international group of experts, sets out a step-by-step framework to help countries put the WHO kidney health resolution into practice. The paper outlines the governance, financing, workforce, service delivery, and accountability measures needed to turn global commitments into measurable national action. 

Read the press release on The Lancet paper 

The focus on implementation continued at the World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, where the ISN helped raise kidney health to the forefront of high-level discussions with policymakers, global health partners, and national representatives.  

ISN President Marcello Tonelli presents at the ISN-Devex event at WHA79 

At a side-event co-hosted with Devex, “Kidney Health for All: Delivering Comprehensive Care From Prevention to Treatment,” and an official WHO side event, “Gestational Diabetes and Beyond: Strengthening Primary Care for Integrated Reno-Metabolic Health Across the Life Course,” the ISN emphasized that integrating kidney care into health systems is essential to strengthening care and improving patient outcomes.* 

Read the press release on the ISN’s WHA79 activities 

Participants at the official WHO side event on gestational diabetes

These activities reflect the ISN’s continued leadership in ensuring kidney health remains firmly on the global health agenda, and in supporting countries as they move from resolution to action. 

*The Devex event was supported by ISN strategic partners Novartis, Vantive, and Boehringer Ingelheim. The official WHO side event was co-hosted by Guatemala, Kenya, Tanzania, the International Diabetes Federation, the World Diabetes Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. 

As part of its broader engagement during the World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva from May 18 to 23, 2026, the ISN will contribute to two side events on May 20, including an important milestone: the first official WHA side event for which the society was invited to submit a proposal.  

Taking place just days before the first anniversary of the WHO kidney health resolution’s approval, discussions at WHA79 will build on existing momentum and further engage partners towards translating global commitments into action for countries and communities. 

Official WHA79 side event 

The official side event “Gestational Diabetes and Beyond: Strengthening Primary Care for Integrated Reno-Metabolic Health Across the Life Course” will be co-hosted by Guatemala, Kenya, Tanzania, the International Diabetes Federation, the World Diabetes Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. 

The session will position gestational diabetes mellitus as a critical entry point for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and associated comorbidities, including chronic kidney disease, in both mothers and children across the life course. 

It will also explore how affordable, scalable models of integrated care can support earlier intervention. A strong emphasis will be placed on task-sharing and practical approaches that can help health workers more effectively manage noncommunicable diseases, including kidney disease. 

Register for the official side event to the WHA79 

Entry is restricted to WHA badge holders only 

ISN-Devex side event 

Earlier the same day, the ISN will host the side event “Kidney Health for All: Delivering Comprehensive Care From Prevention to Treatment“ in partnership with Devex. Speakers will include representatives from the UK Ministry of Health, Kenya’s Ministry of Health, WONCA, Vantive, Novartis, and the ISN.  

The discussion will focus on helping to translate the WHO kidney health resolution into practice by showcasing cost-efficient, innovative kidney care models. It will also examine practical policy levers for integrating kidney care into universal health coverage (UHC) and make the case for kidney health as a useful measure of health system resilience ahead of the 2027 UN High-level Meeting on universal health coverage. 

Register for the ISN-Devex event 

The event is hosted with support from ISN Strategic Partners Vantive, Novartis and Boehringer Ingelheim. 

Together, the two events reflect the ISN’s growing role in global health discussions and its commitment to help turn policy momentum into practical action. By contributing to conversations on primary care, kidney disease prevention, integrated care, and UHC, the ISN helps reinforce the urgent need to embed kidney health within the broader global health agenda. 

 

At the fourth high-level meeting of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the promotion of mental health and wellbeing, governments from around the world reaffirmed their shared commitment to tackling the world’s leading causes of death and disability. 

Although there has been a delay in the adoption of the political declaration on NCDs at the meeting, it is now expected to move to a General Assembly vote for adoption as a resolution in the coming weeks. 

The ISN will continue to build on this momentum, advocating tirelessly for kidney health and ensuring that kidney disease is recognized as a global health priority. Through sustained awareness-raising and engagement with decision-makers, the ISN is working to secure the full integration of kidney care into international health policies, in line with the recently adopted WHO kidney health resolution.  

The ISN continues to advocate for kidney health to be prioritized globally and comprehensively integrated into the broader noncommunicable disease (NCD) agenda.

Read the ISN Manifesto on driving global action

On September 25, 2025, world leaders will gather at the United Nations in New York for the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on NCDs and mental health. This meeting will shape a new political declaration, setting global priorities for preventing and managing NCDs through 2030 and beyond.

“After many years of hard work, an important milestone has been reached with the adoption of the kidney health resolution at the 78th World Health Assembly. We urge all UN Member States to support this huge effort to tackle the rising burden of kidney disease affecting many lives globally,” shares ISN Advocacy Working Group Deputy Chair Muhammad Iqbal Abdul Hafidz.

To ensure kidney disease is included in this crucial HLM4 declaration, the ISN and 21 partner organizations co-signed a joint statement to all UN Member States on behalf of the kidney care community. This inclusion would affirm global consensus, reinforce commitments made at WHA78, and strengthen efforts toward a more inclusive, effective, and equitable response to NCDs.

The ISN urges the global health community to call on national governments and advocate for the inclusion of kidney disease in this declaration.

In the lead-up to HLM4, the ISN will also hold an event in collaboration with Devex on September 23, focused on turning global commitments into real-world action for those living with kidney disease.

Good to know: How does a WHO resolution differ from a UN political declaration?

A WHO resolution, adopted by its Member States, provides technical guidance and sets health priorities. Although not legally binding, it has a significant influence on global health strategies and country-level policies. In contrast, a UN political declaration — adopted by all UN Member States — reflects broader political commitment and extends beyond health to include development, finance, and equity. These declarations generate political momentum and cross-sector collaboration at the highest level. Together, they work in tandem: The WHO resolution on kidney health sets the foundation, and the upcoming UN political declaration further elevates kidney health on the global agenda, strengthening integrated action through 2030 and beyond.

Geneva — May 23, 2025

ISN Patient Liaison Advisory Group member and policy director of the UK’s leading kidney patient support charity, Kidney Care UK, Fiona Loud, also emphasized the importance of the outcome, stating: “Seeing kidney disease prevention receive this international recognition — and the UK government adopting and supporting the resolution — is a significant moment for the kidney community.”

What’s next: from resolution to action
The ISN thanks all those who have supported the resolution and is ready to support Member States in implementing its commitments. “Passing this resolution is only the beginning,” states Professor Tonelli, “Now we must follow-through and turn words into actions: We need steady investment, teamwork across sectors, and real action in every corner of the globe. This isn’t just about better kidney care — it’s about making healthcare fairer and more accessible for everyone, especially in lower-income countries that need it most.” 

Join the movement
Visit theisn.org to learn more about how you can support the implementation of the resolution and stay updated on advocacy actions. #KidneyHealthMatters | #WHA78 | #GlobalHealth

Resources:

• “Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases through the promotion of kidney health and strengthening prevention and control of kidney disease”
• Open letter in support of the resolution
• Manifesto: Kidney health matters driving global action
• “Guatemala’s resolution on kidney health: a historic opportunity”
• “Reducing the burden of chronic kidney disease in the world”

The ISN strongly supports the upcoming World Health Organization (WHO) resolution, “Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases through the promotion of kidney health and strengthening prevention and control of kidney disease.” 

Led by Guatemala, this milestone resolution will be presented for a vote at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), taking place in Geneva from May 19 to 27. 

The ISN will be on the ground at WHA78, actively advocating for the adoption of this resolution and urging global leaders to recognize kidney health as a critical component of public health policy. 

You can help amplify this message. Here’s how: 

• Attend the ISN-Devex event: “Kidney Health Matters: A Policy Imperative for Economic Resilience” on Wednesday, May 21, 8:30–9:30 a.m. (CEST). Join us in person in Geneva or tune in online — register here. 

• Use the ISN Advocacy Toolkit to contact your country’s UN representatives and encourage them to support the resolution. 

• Sign the global petition and raise your voice for urgent action on kidney health. 

Together, we can help secure stronger commitments to kidney health on the global stage.

The ISN-Devex event is supported by AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Novartis.  

 

 

 

A groundbreaking opportunity 

An unprecedented resolution on kidney health is set for a potential vote at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) this May.   

Led by Guatemala, sponsored by Thailand, and further backed by several member states, the resolution, “Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases through the promotion of kidney health and strengthening prevention and control of kidney disease,” calls for greater recognition of kidney disease as a global health priority, equitable access to treatment, and stronger health systems to support those affected. 

As the only kidney organization in official relations, as a non-State actor, with the WHO, the ISN is leveraging the event to elevate kidney health in the global health policy agenda. 

ISN-Devex event on how the resolution can advance global kidney health  

To build momentum and global support for the resolution, the ISN will co-host a high-level event with Devex: “Kidney Health Matters: A Policy Imperative for Economic Resilience” in Geneva on Wednesday, May 21, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (CEST). 

Attend in person or join the live stream  

The event will feature keynote speakers from the WHO, alongside healthcare providers, industry leaders, patient advocates, and representatives from Ministries of Health in countries such as Guatemala, Thailand, Somalia, and Spain (TBC). Discussions will focus on the economic case for early detection, integrating kidney care into Universal Health Coverage, and the urgent need for coordinated global action.   

The ISN-Devex event is supported by AstraZeneca, Novartis and Boehringer Ingelheim. 

 Lend your voice – support the resolution 

The ISN is calling on the global kidney community to amplify this critical moment through advocacy: 

• Sign and share the ISN Global Petition   

• Use ISN advocacy communication materials,  including an open letter to UN Member States, a one-page summary of the resolution, social media materials, a customizable email template, and a poster   

• Join the NRN webinar on April 28, exploring how to strengthen kidney disease recognition in global policy frameworks 

Together, we can drive real change in kidney health worldwide.  

 

Today, on World Health Day, we focus on global health challenges, taking the opportunity to raise awareness about kidney health. Join Urmila Anandh, Elliot Tannor, and María José Soler in the X Space “Advancing global kidney health: Building consensus for the WHO resolution” at 3 p.m. CEST today (April 7). 

Access the ISN X Space here 

The ISN invites everyone to explore “Kidney disease and the global health agenda” resources offering editorials, infographics and other content to promote kidney health year-round.  

Additionally, please sign and share the ISN petition to make kidney health a global priority. 

Let’s act today and every day to improve kidney health for all! 

 

Nature Reviews Nephrology will host the webinar “Kidney disease in the public health agenda”  on April 28. 

Register for the webinar 

The webinar will examine the role of kidney disease within the broader noncommunicable disease (NCD) agenda, highlighting its relevance to the 4th UN High-level Meeting on NCDs and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 — to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third. Confirmed speakers include:  

• ISN President Marcello Tonelli 

• ASN President Prabir Roy-Chaudhury 

• European Renal Association President Roser Torra  

• Guatemalan Minister of Health Joaquin Barnoya  

The discussion aligns with the international consensus statement “Chronic kidney disease and the global public health agenda: an international consensus,” led by the ISN, the American Society of Nephrology, and the European Renal Association. Published in Nature Reviews Nephrology in 2024, the statement urges the WHO to prioritize kidney disease as a major NCD. 

Explore key recommendations from the consensus and other resources on kidney disease and the global public health agenda here 

The webinar also contributes to the growing momentum ahead of the proposed WHO resolution “Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases through the promotion of kidney health and strengthening prevention and control of kidney disease,” initiated and led by Guatemala, which United Nations Member States will vote on at the 78th World Health Assembly in May. 

 

 

 

 

The ISN is proud to support the proposed World Health Organization (WHO) resolution “Reducing the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) through the Promotion of Kidney Health and Strengthening Prevention and Control of Kidney Disease.”

A global call to action

At the 156th WHO Executive Board Meeting (February 3–11, 2025), the ISN will formally present its statement of support and commend the leadership of the nations driving this important resolution.

By signing the ISN’s global petition today, you can support efforts to ensure that kidney health gets the urgent attention it deserves

Key actions for change

Led by Guatemala, the vital resolution highlights the urgent need to:

• Address global disparities in kidney care
• Raise awareness of kidney health
• Mitigate environmental factors affecting kidney health
• Prioritize kidney diseases in the broader non-communicable disease agenda to strengthen prevention and holistic care strategies

Integrating kidney health into national public health strategies can improve outcomes, strengthen healthcare systems, and reduce costs — contributing significantly to international health goals. Let’s ensure that kidney health becomes a global priority. Learn more here.

The ISN is committed to highlighting kidney health in the global health agenda and actively advocates with the World Health Organization to prioritize kidney health as a critical noncommunicable disease (NCD).

Earlier this year, Nature Reviews Nephrology published “Chronic Kidney Disease and the Global Public Health Agenda: An International Consensus,” highlighting kidney disease as a leading contributor to premature mortality among NCDs.

Read the full article here

Key recommendations from the international consensus include:

• Improved access to care
• Better prevention strategies
• Development and scaling of care models
• Greater awareness and education
• Addressing social determinants
• Increased funding for research
• International cooperation
• Engagement with patient communities

For wide dissemination and use of the international consensus findings and recommendations, download the infographic on the global burden of kidney disease and the call to action to address it. The infographic educates the public and highlights the urgent need to prioritize kidney health in global healthcare.

Access valuable resources to help prioritize kidney disease as a global health issue here

The ISN urges all to use and disseminate these resources to advance global kidney care advocacy efforts.

Brussels, June 6, 2024

The ISN is pleased to share outcomes from the side event, “Advancing Kidney Care for All: Expanding Access to Lifesaving Therapies,” hosted at the World Health Assembly 77 on May 29 in Geneva. As a non-state actor in relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), the ISN organized this event to emphasize the need to raise kidney disease on the global health agenda.

This impactful meeting brought together a diverse group of experts – WHO representatives, policymakers, and people living with kidney diseases – to address the critical issue of global disparities in kidney care.

Kidney disease continues to affect approximately 850 million people worldwide(i), often with devastating consequences. It is expected to become the 5th leading cause of death globally by 2040(ii). The expert panel, featuring Dr. Valerie Luyckx (ISN), Daniel Gallego (Kidney Patients Federation), Dr. Bianca Hemmingsen (WHO), Alison Cox (NCD Alliance), and Dr. Anna Stavdal (World Organization of Family Doctors), discussed solutions and strategies to ensure that lifesaving therapies are accessible to all, regardless of geographical or socio-economic barriers.

Panelists agreed that early detection and prevention of kidney diseases are the most effective ways to save lives. Achieving this requires ongoing awareness campaigns, the prioritization of kidney disease as a health priority by decision-makers, and the need to include civil society members and individuals with lived experience in the decision-making process. This involvement is vital for ensuring equitable access to lifesaving strategies.

During the event, Guatemala’s Health Minister, Mr. Oscar Cordón Cruz, emphasized that kidney health is a critical public health issue in his country, highlighting the significant impact of kidney diseases on the population. Recognizing the urgent need for improved kidney care, he committed to explore, along with the Central America Council of Health Ministers, the possibility of introducing a resolution on kidney diseases to the WHO, recognizing it as a priority non-communicable disease (NCD). “We need to address the medical and legal aspects of kidney transplants. This approach is crucial for effective kidney care, ensuring we create strong policies that enhance access and outcomes for all patients in our region.”

The Guatemalan Minister’s commitment to this initiative signals a promising step toward international collaboration. It emphasizes the importance of engaging with the WHO to fulfill the ISN mission to “Advance kidney health globally. Together.”

The meeting was organized in collaboration with Devex, with support from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim & Lilly, and Novartis.

(i) Francis, A., Harhay, M.N., Ong, A.C.M. et al. Chronic kidney disease and the global public health agenda: an international consensus. Nat Rev Nephrol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41581-024-00820-6 (ii) EKHA, Kidney Manifesto 2024, https://ekha.eu/kidney-manifesto/

The ISN is collaborating with Devex for the second consecutive year to discuss expanding global kidney care.

Register for the event online or in person here

The event, “Advancing Kidney Care for All: Expanding Access to Lifesaving Therapies,” will take place on the occasion of the 77th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 29, 2024, from

9-10 a.m. CEST.

Find out more here

Experts, including ISN Advocacy Working Group Chair Valerie Luyckx, President of the European Kidney Patients Federation Daniel Gallego, Medical Officer at the World Health Organization, Dr. Bianca Hemmingsen, Policy & Advocacy Director at NCD Alliance Alison Cox, and World Organization of Family Doctors Immediate Past President Anna Stavdal, will explore key aspects of ensuring universal kidney health, including:

• Increasing awareness and diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD),
• Improving access to quality care and medication, especially in areas without access to dialysis
• Strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals
• Advocating for the worldwide provision of tools and medication for kidney health
• Encouraging a holistic approach to managing NCDs

In addition, strategies for implementing comprehensive, multisectoral approaches to CKD will be discussed. Patient insights are central to the event, emphasizing disparities in treatment access and care.

The ISN seeks to raise kidney disease on the global health agenda through the event and advocate for its prioritization in international and national health policies.

The meeting is supported by    

As a non-state actor in official relations with the WHO, the ISN attended the WHO’s “Global high-level technical meeting on noncommunicable diseases in humanitarian settings: building resilient health systems, leaving no one behind” in Copenhagen, Denmark, at the end of February.

Denmark, Kenya, and Jordan hosted 630 participants from 50 countries and 71 non-governmental organizations for the event.

The WHO asked the ISN to lead the WHO’s side event on dialysis at the meeting, highlighting the urgent need to prioritize kidney failure patients in emergencies and the impact of kidney disease on global health.

ISN Renal Disaster Preparedness Working Group members Ali Abu-Alfa (chair), Serhan Tuglular (deputy chair), Valerie Luyckx, Raymond Verholder and Hussein Haboub presented at the side event.

Discussions focused on:

• Identifying risks during disasters
• Addressing logistical challenges for dialysis provision
• Sharing personal experiences from healthcare professionals and patients, emphasizing also the impact on mental health

Experts emphasized the necessity for:

• Implementing resilient planning strategies
• Addressing monopolization in dialysis supplies to enhance accessibility
• Establishing a robust framework tailored to humanitarian settings

The ISN remains committed to advocating for improved dialysis care during crises, emphasizing the urgency of prioritizing kidney failure patients.

 

 

As part of the ISN-WHO 2021-2023 collaboration plan, the ISN is pleased to announce the release of three new implementation toolkits.

The ISN thanks all experts involved for their outstanding contributions.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Toolkit

The toolkit facilitates AKI detection, management, and prevention, integrating key strategies highlighted in the ISN 0by25 initiative.

Access here

The toolkit was developed by the ISN AKI Toolkit Working Group – Rahul Chanchlani, Robert Kalyesubula, Vivek Kumar, and Eranga Wijewickrama – under the leadership of Rolando Claure-Del Granado, and support from Jorge Cerda, Etienne Macedo, and Andrew Lewington.

Dialysis Toolkit

This toolkit complements the ISN Framework for Developing Dialysis Programs in Low-Resource Settings, incorporating the patient perspective. It provides additional resources on different aspects of kidney failure care, including modalities, provider models, conservative care, person-centered plans, and ethical considerations.

Access here

The toolkit was developed by the ISN Dialysis Toolkit Working Group – Simon Davies, Brett Cullis, Ana Elizabeth Figueiredo, Arpana Iyengar, Valerie Luyckx, Abdou Niang, Henriette Tyse Nygård, Jordan Parsons, Irma Tchokhonelidze, and Tushar Vachharajani.

Sharing Expertise to Support the Set-up of Renal Registries (SharE-RR) Toolkit

Renal registries provide valuable data for service planning, research, and advocacy purposes but require considerable resources and infrastructure.

Access here

Aimed at nephrologists and public health officials, the toolkit outlines strategies to establish and maintain renal registries, providing an overview of all necessary steps and considerations with adaptations for low- and middle-income countries.

The ISN SharE-RR Advisory Committee developed the toolkit under the leadership of Fergus Caskey and Maria Pippias.

Access all ISN Toolkits here

154th session of WHO’s Executive Board (EB154)

Constituency Statement:

Agenda Item 14. WHO’s work in health emergencies

Distinguished delegates,

We welcome the reports summarizing WHO’s work in health emergencies and efforts to strengthen global governance of health emergency preparedness and response by seeking complementarity between the parallel processes of the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (WGIHR) and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), and coherence among the global, regional and national initiatives and strategies. We welcome the recognition of a steep global increase in humanitarian health needs and efforts to build more resilient communities and health systems.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed that the high prevalence of underlying conditions such as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) markedly increases the vulnerability of populations. Studies estimate 60 to 90% of COVID-19 mortality is attributable to these comorbidities. People living with NCDs face greater challenges in humanitarian settings. Health systems and services previously provided within a country may be seriously undermined, including with the disruption in the delivery of essential healthcare and supplies of medicines and products.

We urge Member States to:

● Recognize people living with NCDs as a vulnerable population across WHO work in health emergencies for the progressive realisation of universal health coverage, integrate essential NCD services into every part of the emergency cycle, and build resilient models of primary care that are people-centred and affordable for all.

● We recommend that draft bureau text of the WHO Pandemic Agreement:

o Reinstates “persons with health conditions”, including those living with NCDs, within the definition of “persons in vulnerable situations” as originally seen in the zero draft;

o Strengthens language on the role of pandemic prevention, preparedness and response in the realisation of universal health coverage;

o Safeguards specific language on protecting, investing in and sustaining a multi- disciplinary health and care workforce and the continuation of essential health services across the continuum of care, particularly for people living with NCDs, during pandemic preparedness, response and recovery;

o Reinstates previous draft text commitments to mobilise resources to maintain essential health services during and after a pandemic.

Thank you.

Statement coordinated by:

● NCD Alliance

Statement supported by:

● Global Alliance for Tobacco Control (GATC), formerly the Framework Convention

Alliance on Tobacco Control (FCA)

● FDI World Dental Federation (FDI)

● HelpAge International (HelpAge)

● International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)

● International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

● International Federation on Ageing (IFA)

● International Society of Nephrology (ISN)

● Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF)

● Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)

● World Heart Federation (WHF)

● Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA)

154th session of WHO’s Executive Board (EB154)

Constituency Statement:

Agenda Item 7. Follow-up to the political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases Progress report on the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases, promotion of mental health and well-being, and treatment and care of mental health conditions

Distinguished delegates,

We welcome the NCD progress report, which integrates developments on mental health and neurological conditions and oral diseases as major NCDs, and shares plans for a 2025 global status report on cancer.

We also applaud the comprehensive preparations for the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs in 2025, and the plans to update and extend the NCD targets.

We, however, express concern that NCDs remain the leading cause of death, morbidity, and disability globally, and more political commitment, policy coherence and resources are needed to address the NCD epidemic.

We urge Member States to:

• Engage in preparatory processes for the 2025 NCD High-Level Meeting and encourage a stronger political and financial commitment towards national NCD responses, including through the upcoming Global NCD Financing Dialogue;

• Engage in the update of the Global NCD Monitoring Framework for the extended global NCD targets to be strengthened with a comprehensive set of indicators and clear data baselines, and support the improvement of accountability processes and the involvement of civil society;

• Implement robust, funded national NCD plans that include actions on mental health and neurological conditions and air pollution as part of the NCD five-by-five approach, and to address the burden of NCD multimorbidity;• Draw on the NCD ‘best buys’ and other recommended interventions to implement priority actions for NCD prevention and control, including in collaboration with relevant government sectors and as a part of UHC benefit packages;

• Strengthen NCD and risk factor surveillance with disaggregated data collection to identify vulnerable populations;

• Involve people living with NCDs in the design and delivery of policies and services;

• Safeguard NCD policymaking processes from the undue influence of health-harming industries.

We also support the initiative for a draft decision on strengthening mental health and psychosocial support. People living with NCDs, including mental health conditions, face greater challenges to manage their conditions during emergencies, due to the disruption of physical and mental health services. As the burden grows, more action in these settings is urgently needed.

Thank you.

 

Statement coordinated by:

1. NCD Alliance (NCDA)

Statement supported by:

2. Global Alliance for Tobacco Control (GATC), formerly the Framework Convention Alliance on

Tobacco Control (FCA)

3. HelpAge International (HelpAge)

4. International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

5. International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA)

6. International Federation on Ageing (IFA)

7. International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)

8. International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF)

9. International Society of Nephrology (ISN)

10. Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF)

11. The International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP)

12. The Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind – Sightsavers (Sightsavers)

13. Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)

14. World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF International)

15. World Obesity Federation (WOF)

WHO 154th Executive Board

Agenda Item 6: Universal Health Coverage

This statement is made by the World Heart Federation on behalf of the Global Alliance for Tobacco Control, International Diabetes Federation, International Society of Nephrology, World Hypertension League, and World Stroke Organization.

While we welcome the WHO and Member States’ recommitment to achieving UHC in the 2023 political declaration, we take this opportunity to highlight the need to prioritize essential circulatory health services in UHC benefit packages to protect individuals and households from catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses, which slow socioeconomic development and contribute to rising poverty rates.

To reach UHC, countries must determine which essential health services should be provided through cost-effective health benefit packages, considering disease burden, financial risk protection, socioeconomic impact, and equity.Circulatory diseases, as the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and the leading cause of catastrophic health expenditure in LMICs, meet all these criteria. NCDs are preventable and treatable and must therefore be prioritized in UHC packages; nevertheless, coverage of NCD services in UHC packages is seriously lacking relative to other areas.

Drawing on the HEARTS Technical Package, Pen+ Interventions, and updated Appendix 3 document, we recommend prioritizing the following interventions in UHC benefit packages:

• Screeningand counselling on risk factors including unhealthy diet, tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol and physical inactivity
• Opportunistic screening for CVD/stroke risk factors including blood pressure, glucose and urine albumin
• Primary prevention of rheumatic fever and RHD
• Access to affordable and quality screening and treatment for hypertension, diabetes, CVD, and kidney disease, including:
• Provision of aspirin for suspected cases of myocardial infarction
• Management of ischemic heart disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease through provision of antiplatelet, anticoagulant, blood pressure lowering, and blood lipid lowering
• Management of albuminuric kidney disease with ACEi, ARBs and SGLT2 inhibitors

We call on decision-makers to:

• Expand coverage of essential health services for circulatory conditions to all by 2030
• Prioritize primary care in public health funding and human resources for health allocation plans
• Include existing evidence-based, cost-effective interventions for circulatory diseases in UHC benefit packages at primary care level

This will significantly reduce the burden of circulatory diseases, decrease catastrophic expenditures for health, and help all Member States achieve UHC.

Mr. Manvir Victor (center with hat and sunglasses) alongside participants at the third “Transplant Awareness Walk” that took place in May in Kuala Lumpur

Mr. Manvir Victor, past chair and member of the ISN Patient Liaison Advisory Group, reports on transplant awareness walks in Malaysia:

“The third consecutive monthly “Transplant Awareness Walk” took place the last weekend in May in Kuala Lumpur. The walks were initiated in March 2023 by myself and Mr. Siva Kumar Raghavan, the first Malaysian dialysis patient to summit Mount Kinabalu in 2022. These “first-of-a-kind” walks have progressively become more popular.

Taking place every last Sunday of the month at one of the most frequented parks in Kuala Lumpur, Lake Titiwangsa, the walks aim to create a relaxed environment where people waiting for kidney transplants and their families can access healthcare professionals outside the clinical setting.

Participants joining the patients include transplant surgeons, nephrologists, nurses, medical students, and caregivers, but walks are open to everyone and are free of charge.

Mr. Raghavan and I are both kidney transplant recipients. We hope that these walks will pick up in other states in Malaysia, connecting more healthcare professionals with patients and future transplant patients.”

For more details on the “Transplant Awareness Walks” in Kuala Lumpur, follow @manvirvictor on Twitter.

 

Mr. Joab Wako*, chair of the ISN Patient Liaison Advisory Group, reports on his experience at the 2023 International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO) Global Patients Congress (GPC 2023):

“The GPC 2023 comprised a packed program of talks and sessions from passionate speakers celebrating and learning from patient engagement and co-creation to help improve the availability and accessibility of safe and innovative health care.

Watch a recording of the congress.

The IAPO congress took place in Geneva, a few kilometers from where the 76th World Health Assembly (WHO) was being held. This synchronicity was no coincidence; this year’s IAPO congress focused on including patients or persons with a lived experience, like me, at all levels of health governance and decision-making. What better time and place to hold this than during the World Health Assembly, where 194 WHO member states, partner agencies, representatives of civil societies, and experts gather to discuss current and future priorities for global health?

Since the WHO celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, the IAPO congress looked at the key role patients and patient organizations play in co-creating and advancing global health.

Patients are at the center of healthcare systems. We must co-design future systems in the wake of advancing digital health, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.”

*Mr. Wako has a record of accomplishments in championing the lived experience with WHO and took part in the consultation process to draft the WHO Framework for Meaningful Engagement of People Living with NCDs and Mental Health and Neurological Conditions, eventually co-chairing its launch on May 11, 2023. This framework seeks to support the WHO and its Member States to include input from people with lived experience within health-related programs and policies. Mr. Wako also shared valuable insights into the challenges faced by people living with kidney diseases as a speaker at the recent ISN-Devex event at WHA76.