SHARJAH: Four plenary sessions at the Global NCD Alliance Forum 2017, to be held next week in Sharjah, will examine the progress being made on tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The sessions taking place over the three days of the biennial forum form a main part of its programme,which discusses effective strategies to prevent the lifestyle ailments that kill 40 million people each year.

Held under the theme ‘Stepping up the Pace for NCDs: Making 2018 count,’ the forum is a joint effort from the NCD Alliance and Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), a Sharjah-based non-profit organisation dedicated to fighting cancer and supporting patients and their families. The event is being hosted under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Patron of FoCP, International Ambassador for the World Cancer Declaration of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC.

“Non-communicable diseases are a scourge on society, with the poorest communities suffering the most. In addition to taking a physical and emotional toll, NCDs have a significant economic impactbecause ofthe high cost of their treatment. Being chronic, long-term diseases, expenditure on these conditions is significant. NCDs undermine productivity, having economic impact on societies and governments,” said Sawsan Jafar, Chairperson of FoCP’s Board of Directors.

“Under the leadership of Sheikh Sultan, Sharjah is taking a lead on fighting NCDs with its second Global NCD Alliance Forum, which will see more than 300 medical experts, health care policy makers and NCD Alliance stakeholders gather to assess and evaluate the immediate and long term measures for minimising the prevalence of NCDs. The four plenary sessions that form part of the forum’s agenda are a vital component of the fight against lifestyle diseases as they will examine the progress made so far, highlight current initiatives and discuss new strategies that can be implemented to combat them,” Jafar added.