TEMPO.CO, Geneva- World Health Organization (WHO) director general Dr Margaret Chan says the WHO is currently faced with challenging times compared to the situation in the year 2000 when the Millennium Declaration was signed. She specifically made a remark about economic powers obstructing the attempt to create a healthy world.
"Many of the risk factors for non-communicable diseases are amplified by the products and practices of large and economically powerful forces. Market power readily translates into political power," she stated in her speech at the WHO Assembly held at the United Nations headquarters based in Geneva on Monday, May 20.
One of WHO’s goals that was discussed during the assembly on Monday was the control of alcohol and tobacco in order to reduce the death rate caused by non-communicable diseases.
"The WHO will never be on speaking terms with the tobacco industry... There are no safe tobacco products. There is no safe level of tobacco consumption. But there are healthier foods and beverages, and in some cultures, alcohol can be consumed at levels that do not harm health," she said.
The 66th World Health Assembly will be held from Monday, May 20, until May 28. One of the agendas in this assembly is finding a solution to reduce the spread of non-communicable diseases, one of which is by adopting a policy for the control of tobacco and alcohol.
KARTIKA CANDRA (GENEVA)