1/14 Dear Richard, “all we have is silence” equally applies to deadly interplay b/ #COVID19 pandemic + #NCDs epidemic. #PLWNCDs are at heightened risk of becoming severely ill or dying from #C19. Health systems are being overwhelmed with PLWNCDs becoming acutely ill. https://twitter.com/richardhorton1/status/1278921514356822017

2/14 Our recent survey shows massive disruptions in access to #NCDs services, which will result in upsurge of illness and deaths from NCDs (projections forthcoming) which failing health systems are unlikely to be able to manage. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/rapid-assessment-of-service-delivery-for-ncds-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

3/14 In 2000, #WHA53 recognized that “long-term needs of #PLWNCDs are rarely dealt with”. Since then, 200 million PLWNCDs aged 30-70 have died, majority living in #LMIC. Most deaths could have been avoided or delayed.
https://apps.who.int/gb/archive/pdf_files/WHA53/ea14.pdf

4/14 During 2000-2010, we saw rapid improvement mainly due to decreases in mortality from cardiovascular and chronic respiratory disease. https://www.who.int/gho/publications/world_health_statistics/2020/en/

5/14 Policy, legislative and regulatory measures were put in place to provide more people with access to screening, early diagnosis and treatment …

6/14 ... for hypertension and cardiovascular disease (such as aspirin, beta blockers, diuretics and statins), and to protect people against tobacco use (such as tobacco-free legislation).

7/14 But during 2010-2020, momentum of change has dwindled. #Diabetes mortality rates have increased by 5%.

8/14 #UNGA #HLM on #NCDs in 2011 provided opportunity to turn the tide of NCDs epidemic and respond to health-care needs of #PLWNCDs.

9/14 But political momentum generated by #HLM was offset by lack of #ODA for #NCDs to establish even the minimal critical capacity, mechanisms and mandates needed in #LMIC to pursue change.

10/14 In the absence of change, some industries started to increase lobbying against the implementation of @WHO solutions, discredited our scientific knowledge, and brought legal challenges against countries to oppose progress.

11/14 In the context of strengthening economic drivers that prioritize wealth creation over better #NCD outcomes, movement of #PLWNCDs was unable to rise to levels seen in #HIV movement

12/14 Today, #NCDs remain the largest, most underfunded public health issue globally where the most lives could be saved. But #PLWNCDs have no seat at decision-making table of any global financing instrument.

13/14 The #COVID19 pandemic has compounded the acute impact of #NCDs to cause devastation and suffering around the world. This cannot be allowed to happen again.

14/14 We need an immediate paradigm shift to include the prevention, screening, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of #NCDs into PHC and UHC. This will require a massive investment from @TheGlobalFund @WorldBank @EuropeAid #ODA #DAC in #NCDs. But all we have is silence.