São Tomé and Príncipe launches Integrated Strategies to address the rising incidence of Noncommunicable Diseases, with WHO Support

São Tomé, April 15 - Today, the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe launched three national strategic instruments at the Pestana Hotel, marking a turning point in the country's approach to public health. During this important event, placed under the leadership of Prime Minister Américo Ramos three important strategic documents, namely the Multisectoral Strategic Plan for Noncommunicable Diseases (2026-2030), the National Strategic Plan for Cancer Control (2026-2030), and the National Community Health Strategy (2026-2030) were presented. The adoption and launching of these strategies intervene when noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing and responsible for 70% of deaths in the archipelago. Hypertension affects approximately 30.6% of adults, and diabetes has risen from 8.6% to 13% in recent years. Cancer accounts for around 13% of deaths and is one of the main causes of international medical evacuations.

"For the first time, we are launching three fundamental strategic instruments in an integrated manner," said the Prime Minister in his opening speech.

"This is not just a technical event; it is above all a commitment by the State to provide the health system with long-term structural instruments."

The ceremony was also marked by the signing of an Interministerial Commitment Memorandum, involving several ministries, including Health, Education, Culture, Science and Higher Education; Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development; Environment, Youth and Sustainable Tourism; Infrastructure and Natural Resources, and Labor, Solidarity and Social Security. This political commitment event formalizes the principle of "Health in All Policies" and recognizes that approximately 80% of health determinants lie outside the health sector. "It changes the way we govern. It changes the way we invest. Above all, it changes the way we take responsibility," emphasized the head of government, highlighting the role of each ministry, from education and agriculture to the environment and social protection.

A key aspect of this process has been the contribution of the World Health Organization (WHO), which provided the Ministry of Health with essential technical assistance throughout the elaboration of the three documents. Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of the United Nations System, the UN Resident Coordinator in São Tomé and Príncipe, Eric Overvest, hailed the moment as "of great national significance" and stressed that WHO's support ensured the strategies were aligned with the best scientific evidence, international standards, and good public health practices, thereby reinforcing the quality and coherence of the instruments presented today.

"For the first time, São Tomé and Príncipe has an integrated strategic framework that allows a coordinated, structured, and sustainable approach to the main public health challenge of our time," Overvest said.

The UN Resident Coordinator further reiterated the United Nations System's commitment, including WHO and other development partners, to continue working alongside the government during the implementation of the strategies, as well as monitoring and evaluating results, with a focus on concrete, measurable, and lasting results. WHO will continue to provide technical support and mobilize partners to ensure that the plans are translated into effective actions on the ground, including strengthening primary care, training professionals, and improving epidemiological surveillance systems.

"Health is built on the conditions in which people live, on the quality of the water they drink, on the food they have access to and consume, on the education they receive, and the environment in which they grow up," the Prime Minister recalled, stressing that the response must be structural, integrated, and multisectoral, not merely medical. The three plans now launched set clear targets for reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), structure for the first time a national response to cancer-from prevention to palliative care-and strengthen primary health care through community health, valuing the important role of community health workers in linking the population to the health system. The government has ensured that an interministerial coordination mechanism with clear targets and continuous monitoring will be established. The country's new hospital, which is one of the executive branch's largest construction projects, was also mentioned as part of a holistic approach to improving health for all.

The initiative, which counts on the support of the World Health Organization and development partners, represents the country's first integrated strategic framework to tackle the growing burden of chronic diseases, within a context of equity, development, and collective responsibility.