President of the General Assembly
Secretary-General
Director-General of the World Health Organisation
Heads of State and Ministers
Other dignitaries
As a member state of the United Nations, South Africa congratulates the President of the General Assembly for putting this item on the agenda of the General Assembly and welcomes the report by the Secretary-General on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). South Africa recognises the need for non-communicable diseases to be regarded as a development priority rather than only a health concern. It is the view of the South African government that a “health only approach” will not reverse the global mortality and burden from non-communicable diseases, but that a “whole of government” and “whole of society” approach is needed.
Mr President, this esteemed gathering must be reminded that in Africa and in Southern Africa in particular, communicable diseases and specifically AIDS remains the highest cause of mortality. In South Africa the mortality rate has just about doubled over the last 10 years mainly as a result of HIV and AIDS and this has contributed to massive human, social and economic consequences. Thoughsignificant progress in tackling HIV and AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) is being made, HIV is now also a chronic disease and considerably more investment is still needed to turn the tide of these twin epidemics. It is critical therefore that as global and national priorities expand we make sure that we pay adequate attention to prevention and control of both communicable and non-communicable diseases and towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
Mr President I shall provide just a few example of risk reduction and control of NCDs in South Africa. Many delegates may be aware that South Africa has been one of the leading countries on the implementation of the Framework Convention and Guidelines on Tobacco Control and will continue to strengthen legislation to further reduce the impact of tobacco use. On improving surveillance, South Africa has recently passed regulations making the reporting of cancers compulsory. This makes South Africa one of the few countries to do this.
South Africa has also just passed regulations to reduce the use of trans fats and are currently drawing up regulations to reduce salt content in processed food. Towards the whole of government and development approach to the prevention and control of NCDs, an inter-ministerial committee made up of 9 Ministers has been established to come up with legislative and other solutions to combat harm from alcohol and other drugs.
At a recent summit on non-communicable diseases held in preparation for this summit, the South Africa government and partners from various sectors has set a range of targets to prevent and control NCDs. In this context South Africa welcomes the political declaration and pledges its commitment towards the attainment of the goals of the declaration and to working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to develop global targets. In order to achieve global targets, effective partnerships need to be established to increase prevention, screening and treatment technologies including affordable vaccines, diagnostics and drugs.
To prevent non-communicable diseases globally, South Africa urges the international community to put pressure on the food industry to reduce harmful foodstuffs and promote healthy eating habits worldwide and on the alcohol industry to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol through for example ceasing to advertise what is for many a highly dangerous product. All partners must collaborate to realise a tobacco free world.
My main messages today are that reducing non-communicable diseases requires attention to a number of broad social, economic and behavioural determinants of health involving many sectors, and that combating both communicable and non-communicable diseases in an integrated and comprehensive manner is fundamental to both improved health and development.
I thank you.
