Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday inaugurated the ASEAN Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) 2026, aiming to advance a regional strategy for the prevention and control of these prevalent health issues in Southeast Asia.
According to Philippines News Agency, the three-day hybrid conference, running from August 4 to 6 under the Philippines' 2026 ASEAN chairship, has attracted around 100 onsite delegates and 500 virtual participants from across the region. A focal point of the conference is the anticipated adoption of the Call to Action on Accelerating NCD Prevention and Control in ASEAN 2026-2030. This initiative aims to bolster evidence-based interventions, fortify primary health care, and enhance regional cooperation among member states.
Participants will also examine and compile successful national strategies into the ASEAN Compendium of Scalable NCD Best Practices. The DOH highlighted that noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, and mental health disorders, continue to present significant public health challenges in the region.
The agency emphasized that addressing the rising burden of NCDs necessitates stronger primary health care, sustainable health financing, effective regulatory measures to mitigate risk factors, and a comprehensive societal approach involving government, communities, and the private sector.
With the theme "Accelerating Whole-of-Society Action for NCD Prevention and Control in ASEAN," the conference aligns with ASEAN Health Cluster 1, the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 target on reducing premature deaths from NCDs, and the ASEAN Post-2025 Health Agenda. Health Secretary Jose Pujalte Jr. stated, "Noncommunicable diseases are the region's biggest health burden, and no ministry, sector or country can turn the tide alone. This conference is ASEAN acting as one -governments, partners, communities and our youth- to make the healthy choice the easy choice for every family, dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, Pasyente Muna (because in the New Philippines, Patients Come First)."
The conference has drawn together health ministers and senior officials, technical experts, development partners, youth delegates, and civil society organizations from ASEAN member states. Representatives from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the International Labour Organization, and the ASEAN Secretariat are also participating in the event.
