Health Ministry: Oral diseases to be given priority in global agenda

PUTRAJAYA: Oral diseases are targeted to be prioritised and included in the new non-communicable disease (NCD) agenda at the 2025 United Nations Fourth High-Level Meeting on NCDs.

The Health Ministry said it is one of the topics discussed in the programme “Oral Health: Time for Commitment and Action”.

This programme, themed on determining and measuring the success of the Global Oral Health Action Plan (GOHAP) 2023-2030, was held in conjunction with the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

“Emphasis on the political commitment of member states to oral health ... is very important to implementing the global oral health policy, strengthening the national oral health policy and mobilising stakeholders outside the oral health sector,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.

It added that progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) for oral health by 2030 depended on the readiness and ability of health ministries in member countries and other stakeholders to coordinate, collaborate and integrate these efforts.

According to the ministry, Malaysia presented its experience and success in implementing and monitoring GOHAP at the global level.

An innovative method to evaluate implementation, measure success and mobilise stakeholders outside the oral health sector was also discussed, Bernama reported.

“Through this interactive session, actions, concepts, implementation of ideas and monitoring of GOHAP achievements between member countries are discussed in preparation for the Global Oral Health Meeting which for the first time will be organised by the World Health Organisation in Thailand this November,” the statement said.

Last year, Malaysia launched a National Dental Health Policy and its strategic plan in line with global initiatives.

A total of 18 national actions towards improving UHC for dental health have been implemented throughout the country in line with the six strategic objectives of GOHAP, which include aspects of dental health governance, disease promotion and prevention and dental health care.