The Ministry of Health of Montenegro is committed to addressing the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases, said Minister of Health Jelena Borovinić Bojović at the WHO European conference on tackling NCDs through digital solutions in Moscow.

Montenegro is fully committed to meeting the Sustainable Development Agenda and implementing the WHO European Programme of Work, and in that context, there is no alternative to tackling the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases, she said.

Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Mikhail Albertovich Murashko and WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge also spoke at the panel.

The Government of Montenegro has recognised noncommunicable diseases as an obstacle to the improvement of public health, well-being, but also sustainable development. However, we are optimistic that, with a strong political commitment, leadership, partnership and involvement of all sectors, it is possible to reverse the current unfavorable trends, said Borovinić Bojović.

When it comes to the fight against tobacco use in the country, as one of the key generators of the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases, the Montenegrin government has already taken courageous steps to harmonise the national excise tax calendar with the EU excise tax calendar and increase the fiscal burden on tobacco products, she said.

Consistent use of fiscal measures will mean double gains - both in terms of public health and fiscal benefits. This is an example of how the improvement of health policy accelerates some strategic, political processes, such as EU accession, said the Minister of Health.

Minister Borovinić Bojović is clear - regional cooperation on the harmonisation of excises among the Western Balkan countries which want to join the EU and promote health and well-being in accordance with the spirit of the Roadmap for the Western Balkans has no alternative.

Montenegro is also working on new guidelines at the level of primary health care in order to provide citizens with stronger support for smoking cessation, she added.

In that sense, the potential of digital technologies is huge.

An effective response to the tobacco epidemic requires political commitment, courageous leadership, true partnership, a multisectoral approach to creating a favourable environment, empowered citizens and agile healthcare that promotes integrated service delivery focused on the individual and their needs, said the Minister.