Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong has been appointed to a high-level World Health Organisation (WHO) commission. 

The Commission on Non-Communicable Diseases aims to identify innovative ways to curb diseases that are not transmitted from person to person, such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, and extend life expectancy.

The WHO commission will support ongoing efforts to accelerate action on cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes and respiratory disease, as well as reducing suffering from mental health issues, and the impacts of violence and injuries.

The WHO commission consists of 22 eminent people, including representatives of governments, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, philanthropic foundations and academic institutions.

A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), Gan has been Minister for Health since May 2011. He previously served as the Minister for Manpower from 2008 to 2011. He has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 2001.