The 2025 Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting, convened ahead of the 78th World Health Assembly, has concluded with a blueprint for unlocking sustainable health finance and delivering on the promise of quality healthcare for the 2.7 billion people across the Commonwealth.
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Commonwealth Health Ministers unite for bold action on sustainable health financing
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Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Botchwey opening the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting in Geneva on 17 May 2005
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Secretary-General opening the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting
The 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (37CHMM) will take place on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva on 17 May. This will be Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey’s first ministerial meeting since taking office on 1 April 2025.
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Beyond Budgets: Commonwealth Secretary-General in Geneva for first meeting with Health Ministers
By Victoria Rutter, CEO of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) and a member of the Commonwealth Advisory Health Committee. CPA is a Commonwealth-accredited organisation.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing global health threats of the 21st century. Nearly 40 million people could lose their lives to AMR infections over the next 25 years, with the heaviest toll expected in lower-to-middle income countries, many of them in the Commonwealth. In the past decade, projected AMR-related deaths by 2050 have quadrupled, underscoring the urgency of the crisis. If AMR were a war, it would rival the deadliest in history. It demands innovative, coordinated responses.
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Blog: How Commonwealth partnerships are tackling the global threat of antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing global health threats of the 21st century. Nearly 40 million people could lose their lives to AMR infections over the next 25 years, with the heaviest toll expected in lower-to-middle income countries, many of them in the Commonwealth. In the past decade, projected AMR-related deaths by 2050 have quadrupled, underscoring the urgency of the crisis. If AMR were a war, it would rival the deadliest in history. It demands innovative, coordinated responses.
This report presents key findings, lessons learned and recommendations for strengthening legislative responses to NCDs in the Pacific. Moving forward, sustained commitment from governments, regional organisations and development partners will be crucial in ensuring that legislative measures translate into meaningful public health outcomes.
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Support to Draft New or Amend Existing NCD-Related Legislation in the Pacific Community
The impact of GBV on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes is influenced by other factors, such as lack of sexual empowerment and emotional and social support, which highlights the complexity of GBV and its ramifications. This study includes domestic and sexual violence within its scope of GBV and emphasises that both types infringe upon the rights of victims.
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The Health Sector Response to Gender-based Violence and Violence Against Sexual and Reproductive Health
On 24 April, senior government officials from health ministries across the Commonwealth met prior to the 2025 Commonwealth Health Ministers meeting to discuss investments to support health systems amid the current global financial context that has placed many vulnerable nations at risk.
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Rethinking health financing for a thriving Commonwealth workforce
Accelerating positive health outcomes in the Commonwealth was the focus of two meetings held in March at the Commonwealth Secretariat.
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Innovative approaches to securing a healthy Commonwealth spotlighted in meetings
17 May 2025 to 17 May 2025
Ministerial meeting
Health Ministers from across the Commonwealth will convene in Switzerland for the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (37CHMM). The meeting will be held on 17 May before the World Health Assembly, which starts on 19 May in Geneva.
As we recognise January as Cervical Cancer Awareness month, a recent report from the Commonwealth Secretariat and TogetHER for Health illustrates a vital path towards eliminating cervical cancer in Commonwealth countries.
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New report shows how Commonwealth countries are advancing cervical cancer elimination
The World Malaria Report 2024 findings highlight notable advancements within Commonwealth countries to combat the incidence of malaria cases. Belize was certified malaria-free for the second year running and across Africa - in Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Togo, Tanzania – the incidence rate has been reduced.
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New report shows Commonwealth countries making progress against global uptick in malaria burden
The Commonwealth Secretariat and the East, Central, and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC) have launched a significant mental health project to raise the standard of health of youths across nine countries in the region where mental health challenges in young people are on the rise.
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Commonwealth and ECSA join forces to improve mental health for African youth
According to the World Health Organization, 30–50% of all cancer cases are preventable and prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer.
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Galvanising investment in cancer prevention and control in the Commonwealth
The Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer in the Commonwealth has published initial recommendations to support the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth in tackling the rising incidence of cancer.
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Game-changing roadmap to prevent and control cancer across Commonwealth
14 November 2024 to 14 November 2024
(GMT)
Webinar
Cancer prevention and control could save hundreds of thousands of lives in low-and middle-income Commonwealth nations including Small Island Developing States. This webinar will discuss innovative ways of preventing and controlling cancer prevention and control and present insights and strategies that can drive meaningful change.
The World Cancer Congress has concluded in Geneva, Switzerland, with a robust set of recommendations which, if implemented, could contribute to eliminating cervical cancer, which claims nearly 10 million lives annually around the world.
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Saving women’s lives: A pathway to Cervical Cancer elimination in the Commonwealth
Visionary women leaders from across the Commonwealth came together in Samoa today to make a strong commitment to protecting women and girls from what they call “fully preventable” suffering caused by violence and cervical cancer.
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‘No silence’: Commonwealth women leaders commit to ending domestic violence and cervical cancer
High-level government leaders and multistakeholder partners came together today to strengthen their commitment to addressing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health at a side event held during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa.
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Government leaders and multisectoral partners unite to tackle noncommunicable diseases and mental health issues in the Commonwealth
This roadmap establishes a framework for how Commonwealth member countries can promote healthy ageing across the life-course for all citizens, and address the current and future challenges arising from ageing populations. It offers recommendations that aim to align policies and foster collaboration between government bodies, businesses and civil society, and provides an overview of tried-and-tested solutions that can be adapted to the unique needs of each country.
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Ageing Well in the Commonwealth: A Roadmap for Healthy Ageing
Five years ago, a random gynaecological screening turned veteran Zambian radio and TV presenter Karen Nakawala's life upside down. A pap smear, followed by a biopsy revealed Karen had cervical cancer.
As part of efforts to advance global health targets, Commonwealth young leaders have concluded a critical three-day summit in London with the launch of two key initiatives: the Commonwealth Young Health Leaders Fellowship and the Commonwealth Leadership Institute (Health).
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New Commonwealth youth initiatives launched to promote better health and well-being
As the role of digital technologies becomes more critical in healthcare delivery, health ministers are moving towards the greater adoption of digital solutions to deliver better health services for Commonwealth citizens.
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Digital Health Maturity: How the Commonwealth is delivering on global health targets
In the last few weeks, sadly, more than 150 people have died from oppressive heat in India. In Africa, while some countries are experiencing torrential rains, others are suffering from terrible droughts.
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Commonwealth Secretary General: Small Island Developing States need finance to tackle climate crisis
London, UK - June 22, 2024: The Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Indian High Commission in the UK and Heartfulness Worldwide today held a special yoga session at Marlborough House to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga.
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Uniting for Health: Commonwealth and Global Partners Celebrate 10th International Day of Yoga
Advocates for vision health are calling for urgent and collaborative action across the Commonwealth to address the impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on eyesight.
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Why eye health is critical to the Commonwealth's vision for tackling non-communicable diseases