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World Health Assembly – 78th Side Event
May 21
The President of NABD-BC2 Association, Mrs Ikram Eseghir, was honored to participate as a patient advocate expert and person with lived experience (PWLE) at a high-level side event organized by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO EMRO) during the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), held on May 21, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland. WHO EMRO generously supported the participation.
The event, hosted by the Eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance and chaired by Dr. Ibtihal Fadhil, brought together key stakeholders from across the region to discuss the integration of PWLE in cancer care policies and systems. During the session, NABD-BC2’s president shared insights on how meaningful engagement of PWLE contributes to governmental strategies aimed at dismantling cultural barriers, reducing stigma, and addressing taboos throughout women’s cancer journeys.
Emphasizing the importance of holistic care, the intervention highlighted the critical role of PWLE in promoting awareness, early detection, psychosocial support, and long-term survivorship. The Moroccan experience was presented as a promising example in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, underlining the Ministry of Health’s proactive commitment to engagement and capacity-building programs, such as the DUPPC diploma and various NGO-led initiatives, that have fostered significant progress.
The priorities of meaningful engagement, as jointly defined during the November 2024 workshop co-organized by the Moroccan Ministry of Health and WHO EMRO, were also shared to illustrate how participatory and integrated approaches can enhance cancer care systems.
In addition to the rich exchange of perspectives on women’s cancers and the introduction of innovative tools, the event featured keynote speeches from Ministers and delegates, highlighting both the achievements and the ongoing challenges in cancer care. The presence of representatives from the Arab League and various international organizations further emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in advancing regional health strategies.
This engagement reaffirms NABD-BC2 Association’s commitment to amplifying the voices of persons with lived experience and advocating for their meaningful inclusion in the design, implementation, and evaluation of healthcare policies.
As we look ahead, NABD-BC2 joins the call to move beyond tokenistic approaches and toward genuine involvement of PWLE in healthcare systems. Together, we can ensure that patient-centered care becomes a lived reality.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to WHO EMRO, the EM-NCD Alliance, Alignefficient Consultancies, and all those who made this important event possible. Your dedication to recognizing lived experience and promoting collaboration inspires our continued work.