Dr. Elias Melly, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), is representing Kenya at the inaugural Commonwealth Health Coordination Forum (CHCF) on the cancer agenda taking place in Geneva ahead of the 79th World Health Assembly.
Held under the theme, “Shaping the Future of Cancer Across the Commonwealth,” the forum brings together Health Ministers, senior government officials, chief medical officers, global health leaders, Commonwealth Accredited Organizations, and strategic partners from across the Commonwealth to discuss the future of cancer prevention, treatment, research, and care.
The inaugural CHCF, chaired by the Government of Guyana and led by H.E. Leslie Ramsammy, former Minister of Health and Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations Office, is responding to the findings of the Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer in the Commonwealth. The discussions are expected to shape the Commonwealth’s collective cancer agenda for years to come.
Dr. Elias Melly, CEO of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, at the Commonwealth Health Coordination Forum.
The forum aligns with the 79th World Health Assembly agenda on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Universal Health Coverage, the Immunization Agenda 2030, Kenya’s Vision 2030, and the Economics of Health for All.
As Kenya’s representative, Dr. Melly is participating in high-level engagements focused on strengthening collaboration & partnerships, advancing equitable access to cancer care, and promoting coordinated global action in addressing the growing burden of cancer across Commonwealth countries.
Objectives
- To facilitate dialogue on cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and care informed by the findings of the Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer in the Commonwealth
- To share country experiences and best practices, and identify scalable solutions with particular attention to small and other vulnerable states
- To support member countries in engaging with NCDs and cancer ahead of and during the WHA
- To explore potential collaboration among member countries, Commonwealth Accredited Organisations, and other international financial and development partners on financing the cancer agenda in the Commonwealth