“From Neglected NCD to Priority: Accelerating Action on Kidney Disease.” – ISNs first stand-alone event at the seventy-sixth World Health Assembly
The ISN, in partnership with the media platform Devex, held a side event of the 76th World Health Assembly (WHA76) in Geneva on May 24, 2023. The purpose of this gathering was to discuss the steps that are needed to make kidney health a priority in national and international policy.
Speakers provided different perspectives on how to step-up action on kidney health, drawing unique insights from their varied backgrounds, from kidney transplant recipients, nephrologists, philanthropic organizations, Ministers of Health, and the World Health Organization. The event focused on how to ensure people-centered policy and decision-making processes to fill gaps in addressing chronic kidney disease. Panelists agreed on the need to accelerate action and investments in kidney health as part of the NCDs agenda, as well as steering prioritized action through an integrated framework for kidney care in LMICs.
Key speakers included:
- Professor Vivek Jha, ISN Past President, and Executive Director, The George Institute for Global Health
- Joab Wako, transplant recipient and chair of the ISN’s Patient Liaison Advisory Group
- Dr. Slim Slama, unit head of NCD Management, World Health Organization
- Helen McGuire, global program leader for noncommunicable diseases, PATH
- Dr. John Amuasi, co-chair, The Lancet One Health Commission
- Dr. Lia Tadesse Gebremedhin, Minister of Health, Ethiopia
- Dr. Md. Titu Miah, director general, Directorate General of Medical Education, Bangladesh Ministry of Health
- Dr. Grace Dubois, senior policy, and advocacy manager, NCD Alliance
With over 65 people from different nations and organizations, the event was well attended. Representatives from the WHO, the European Commission, the NCD Alliance, and pharmaceutical foundations were among those participating and engaging in the Q&A session, encouraging insightful talks about how to address the pressing problem of kidney disease.
Watch the recording of the event here
What the community is saying
"Thinking of the “immoral facts” which are the day-to-day reality for people living w/ chronic kidney disease. People living with #NCDs must be guaranteed access to essential health services incl. in health emergencies," @_Grace_Dubois on #WHA76 sidelines @ISNkidneycare @devex pic.twitter.com/DerYW4H0SO
— NCD Alliance (@ncdalliance) May 24, 2023
This is exciting! Thanks so much @CharuMalik_ISN for your excellence leadership! We have to take kidney disease from the “neglected” category ASAP! @AfricanAFRAN @ISNkidneycare https://t.co/HE36FTF2zh
— Elliot Koranteng Tannor (@elliotktannor) May 25, 2023
Important conversation today at @ISNkidneycare #WHA76 side event on the need step up action on kidney health as part of the #NCDs agenda. An integrated framework for kidney care in LMICs will help steer prioritized action. Thank you to @ISNkidneycare @goKDIGO and wider community pic.twitter.com/9qlnXxceP0
— Slim Slama (@docfromtheblock) May 24, 2023
Insightful panel on need to invest on prevention, early diagnosis & treatment of chronic kidney diseases. We are putting policies like excise tax on unhealthy products, expand screening & treatment of hypertension and diabetes at PHC with more need to expand dialysis & transplant https://t.co/mGayc1xBvM
— Lia Tadesse (@lia_tadesse) May 26, 2023
