Geneva, 24 May 2016 (PAHO/WHO) - During a technical briefing session at the 69th World Health Assembly, Chile and other countries agreed on the need to strengthen multisectoral action to meet the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The SDGs are an ambitious set of 17 goals and 169 targets that were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 with the vision of achieving a more just, safe, and healthy world by 2030.

The health-related targets are concentrated in, but not limited to, Goal 3: "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages." They include a target of achieving universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

Meeting SDGsDr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General, cited three elements that are essential to meeting the SDGs: innovation, coherent policies, and a focus on care for adolescents.

As an example of innovation, she cited progress in new diagnostic tests for tuberculosis and HIV treatment in the form of a single tablet as steps toward the possibility of eliminating these diseases. "Promoting innovation of this kind," she said, "will make it easier to meet the SDGs."

With regard to coherent policies, Chan called on the delegates to promote intersectoral action. "Without consistent policies," she maintained, "we can't talk about an integrated approach by governments."

Finally, she stressed the importance of ensuring the health of adolescents and encouraging their potential. For the first time in history, she noted, the world has 1.8 billion young people. "This is the future generation that will be taking the lead in sustainable development. We need to take care of them and make sure that no one is left behind."

Chilean Vice Minister of Health Gisela Alarcón reported that her country has incorporated the SDGs into the national health agenda with a strong intersectoral component. An example is the program Chile Crece Contigo (Chile Grows With You), a child protection system that integrates the work of the ministries of Health, Social Development, and Education. Starting at pregnancy, this intersectoral initiative accompanies children up to 4 years of age—to be extended to 9 years in 2016.

Alarcón went on to note that the country's "development model had generated wealth and increasing inequalities, with no regard for equity."

In an effort to close this gap, Chile Crece Contigo follows up and individually tracks each child's growth. The program has improved the development of children in the most vulnerable sectors, with progress in language and cognition. She added that the initiative is very popular.

The Vice Minister lauded the strong leadership and political commitment of Chile's president, Michelle Bachelet; implementation of the initiative as a State policy that will endure beyond the current administration; creation of a joint agenda that the ministries are working on together; a unified budget; and an emphasis on local involvement in the program.

She also mentioned the partnership with the Ministries of Treasury and Economy, which has bolstered progress in the control of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. "It hasn't been easy," she commented, "but we have forged a social and political commitment based on our vision for the future."

Delegates from China, India, Thailand, and Sweden also participated in the event and agreed on the need to strengthen national health systems as part of the effort to achieve universal health coverage, recognizing that this approach is key to meeting the health-related Sustainable Development Goals.