WHO Western Pacific and the Borrow Foundation strengthen partnership to address the burden of oral diseases in the Region

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific and The Borrow Foundation have signed a new agreement to strengthen support for oral health across the Western Pacific Region.

The agreement was signed in Geneva during the World Health Assembly by WHO Western Pacific Regional Director, Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala, and Nigel Borrow, Trustee of The Borrow Foundation. A charitable organization headquartered in Waterlooville in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The Borrow Foundation has long supported global oral health initiatives, with a special focus on children.

Oral diseases, from caries to cancer, remain the most common noncommunicable diseases in the Western Pacific Region, affecting nearly 960 million people - about 42% of the overall population. Despite oral diseases being largely preventable, access to essential oral health care remains limited in many countries, highlighting the need for stronger policy development, coordination and implementation.

Through this agreement, WHO and The Borrow Foundation will work together to support implementation of the first-ever Western Pacific Regional Implementation Plan for the Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral Health.

WHO Regional Director Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala and Nigel Borrow of The Borrow Foundation during the signing of the partnership for oral health in Geneva. © WHO / Rodel Nodora

The collaboration will focus on prevention, integration of essential oral health care into primary health care and universal health coverage, and strengthened coordination across the Region.

"We thank The Borrow Foundation for its dedication to improving the lives and health of millions globally, especially children, through the prevention and treatment of oral diseases," said Dr Piukala. "Sound oral health from one's earliest years sets a foundation for health and well-being as a whole, and needs to be urgently prioritized by countries and health systems in our Region and globally. By working closely with The Borrow Foundation, we can accelerate implementation of strategies and programmes that will reduce the burden of preventable oral diseases across the Western Pacific."

"This is the first time The Borrow Foundation has entered into an agreement with the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific," noted Nigel Borrow. "We see strong and growing momentum on oral health in this Region, including through the implementation of population-based programmes and initiatives, and this makes the timing right for our collaboration."

This partnership between The Borrow Foundation and WHO in the Western Pacific aims to advance country-led approaches to address the burden of oral diseases through primary health care, contributing to healthier communities and progress towards universal health coverage throughout the Region.

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For more information and to arrange media interviews, please contact:

WHO Western Pacific: [email protected]