"Nothing for Us, Without Us," a one-day workshop on meaningful engagement of people living with non-communicable diseases held in Bagmati Province, Nepal, with support from Nepal NCD Alliance, WHO, and partners.
"Nothing for Us, Without Us," a one-day workshop on meaningful engagement of people living with non-communicable diseases was held today in Kathmandu. Organized by the Nepal NCD Alliance with support from WHO and partners, the workshop is the first of its kind bringing together people with lived experience and providing them a platform to share their personal stories of living with non-communicable diseases, raise questions to policymakers, and discuss key issues facing PLWNCDs.
Hon'ble Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Roshan Pokhrel, providing his opening remarks at the workshop.
Speaking at the program, Dr Roshan Pokhrel, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population, said: "As someone who has also suffered from non-communicable diseases, I want to assure you that the government is keen to work with and provide space to the network of people living with NCDs in discussions surrounding policies, planning, and programme implementation."
Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal, providing his opening remarks at the workshop.
Congratulating the organizers for recognizing the importance of meaningful engagement of people living with NCDs, Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal, said: "The participation of individuals with lived experience provides powerful expertise and narratives to shape policies, inspire others to join the movement as agents of change and influence and inform those in power."
Participants of the workshop discussing key issues faced by people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and potential action steps.
Over 20 organizations associated with people living with non-communicable diseases were represented at the workshop which also saw participation from senior officials of the Ministry of Health and Population. Following sharing of testimonials and panel discussion on the topic "Reflections on Enablers and Barriers to meaningful engagement in Nepal", participants then engaged in group work to discuss key issues and challenges facing people living with NCDs and identified action steps for addressing the problems.
In May this year, WHO launched the Framework for Meaningful Engagement of People Living with Non-communicable Diseases, Mental Health, and Neurological Conditions which provides practical guidance and actions for transitioning from intention to action to operationalize meaningful engagement.