In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, “our region faces a looming triple threat posed by NCDs, mental health conditions and climate change. SIDS remain overwhelmingly vulnerable to this triple threat,” Dr. Barbosa said at the opening ceremony of the SIDS ministerial conference on NCDs and mental health in Bridgetown, Barbados, today.

During his intervention, Dr. Barbosa reiterated PAHO’s ongoing commitment to work with the region in supporting the accelerated implementation of NCD and mental health interventions in three priority areas.

Firstly, the PAHO Director highlighted that to ensure increased access to screening, diagnosis and treatment for NCDs and mental health, services must be mainstreamed within the primary health care system.

Secondly, the Director called for multisectoral collaboration including lawmakers, civil society, professional associations and people with lived experiences, to develop policies that address the underlying socio-economic factors driving NCDs and mental health challenges.

Finally, countries must build on the guidance provided in the Port of Spain Declaration and Samoa Pathway, to reinforce NCD risk factor policies, strengthen primary care services for NCDs and mental health, and improve surveillance, Dr. Barbosa added.

The PAHO Director underscored that while progress has been made towards reducing NCDs and mental health in SIDS, countries are not on track to reach the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of a one-third reduction in NCD premature mortality by 2030.

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