Advancing the global NCD agenda through multilateral and bilateral partnerships

COVID-19 has disrupted care and treatment globally and revealed the need for equitable investment in robust and resilient health systems. As we look to return to normalcy, we need to acknowledge non-communicable disease (NCD) care as an inherent foundation for building a healthier future.

At Helmsley, we believe that addressing NCDs requires significant treatment and quality care investments, particularly in the most impoverished countries. Therefore, over the past six months, we partnered with the NCDI Poverty Network to convene a series of virtual roundtables on Financing NCDI Poverty to highlight PEN-Plus’s role in strengthening the health system’s capacity to care and treat chronic NCDs.

Our latest virtual roundtable held on June 17th focused on the role of multilateral and bilateral partners in closing the health financing gaps low-income countries face in addressing NCDs. The event brought together leaders from UNICEF, WHO AFRO, NORAD, and the MoH of Malawi to share their commitments to promote interventions for the prevention and control of NCDs.

Colleagues from UNDP, Grand Challenges Canada, USAID, and FCDO also provided valuable insights into the innovative work their organizations are doing to reimagine primary health care, close financing gaps, and strengthen health systems in the poorest communities.

NCDI Poverty Network Co-Chairs Dr. Ana Mocumbi and Dr. Gene Bukhman highlighted PEN-Plus expansion as a realistic strategy in tackling severe NCDs in the region. They called for additional financial resources to help decentralize and integrate care for severe NCDs such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatic heart disease, and sickle cell disease at first-level (district) hospitals.

I am sincerely moved by the level of participation and support. NCDs can no longer remain overlooked on the global agenda. Bilateral and multilateral partners have the power to effectively address health financing gaps and support action plans that give greater priority to NCDIs of poverty.

Now is the time to come together to strengthen our health systems and make the fight against NCDs fairer.