Antigua and Barbuda is being represented by a team of senior officials at a
workshop that will examine the impact of Non-Communicable Diseases and
mental health on Small Islands Developing States (SIDS).
Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Terri-
Ann Joseph are attending the two-day workshop that opens in Barbados today.
“In recognition of the high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and
mental health in SIDS countries, as well as the impact of climate change coupled
with the impact of COVID-19 on health and economies in these particularly
vulnerable states, WHO, PAHO, and the Government of Barbados are convening
ministers from SIDS countries and partner organizations at the SIDS Ministerial
Conference to be held on 14–16 June 2023 in Bridgetown, Barbados,” a
conference statement explained.
It added that the workshop which is taking place ahead of the UN General
Assembly High-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage in September 2023,
will also feed into preparatory processes leading to the fourth High-level meeting
on NCDs in 2025 and to future global summits on mental health.
Speakers include Hon. Mia Amor Mottley – Prime Minister of Barbados; Dr.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus – Director-General, WHO; Dr. Jarbas Barbosa –
Director, PAHO; and many more.
The conference follows the SIDS High-level technical meeting on NCDs and
mental health held in January 2023, where representatives from SIDS countries
discussed the progress and challenges to meet the Sustainable Development Goal
3.4, related to NCDs and mental health. Key recommendations were provided for
the subsequent development of a negotiated outcome document. It also serves as a
follow-up to the virtual WHO SIDS Summit for Health held in June 2021, which
urged Member States to strengthen their collaborations and partnerships to address
development challenges, supporting the 2007 Port of Spain Declaration on NCDs
and the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway, adopted in
2014.
