4th Global NCD Alliance Forum kicks off in Kigali
The three-day forum hosted at the Kigali Convention Centre aims to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally.
700 delegates from more than 70 countries, including Uganda are attending the 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum in Rwanda. ( Photos by John Musenze)
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
The 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum got under way in Rwanda's capital Kigali on Thursday, drawing over 700 delegates from more than 70 countries, including Uganda.
The three-day forum hosted at the Kigali Convention Centre aims to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally.
The main types of NCDs — also known as chronic diseases — are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs killed at least 43 million people in 2021, equivalent to 75 per cent of non-pandemic-related deaths globally.
Seven of the top ten leading causes of death were linked to NCDs.
Alarmingly, 86% of premature NCD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Monika Arora, the President of NCD Alliance addressing delegates.
In Kigali, Rwanda's health state minister Dr Yvan Butera said the forum is a call to action for everyone.
He said Rwanda chose to begin with prevention by programmes and enforcing policies such as raising taxes on potentially harmful products like alcohol and tobacco, which he said has led to a drop in tobacco use from 14 per cent to 7 per cent.
Butera said Rwandans can now access quality health care through national insurance which covers 90 per cent of the population.
He, however, acknowledged the need for advocacy not only in Rwanda but globally, especially from civil society academia, to address the growing global NCD burden.
"If we want to reach solutions, we need to build partnerships that put people, not diseases, at the centre. We need to avoid silos," said Dr Gina Agiostratidou, the programme director at Helmsley Charitable Trust.
The organization commits to helping people live better lives today and creating stronger, healthier futures for individuals and communities.
Rwanda’s Minister Of State Ministry Of Health Dr. Yvan Butera acknowledged that this forum is not just a gathering but a call to action to everyone.
Agiostratidou called for investment in health care, where everyone can benefit no matter the disease they are battling with.
She also appreciated Rwanda's implementation of the PEN-Plus programme, which is helping millions to receive preventative, treatment and follow-up care.
The Kigali forum is convening key health stakeholders, including advocates and health officials from various countries.
The event is focusing on the theme 'Leadership on NCDs towards 2025 & beyond' with a view to bring together diverse NCD movement.
'Not anonymous numbers'
Monika Arora, the president of the NCD Alliance, emphasized the devastating impact of NCDs, citing the staggering statistic that 215 million people have lost their lives to NCDs in the past five years.
"These aren’t anonymous numbers," she said.
"These are people we know, members of our community, our family members and friends, whose precious lives could have been saved.
"In these five short years, the world has changed dramatically. We are living in polarized and uncertain times, with rising geopolitical tensions," said Arora.
She said the US government's decision to freeze foreign aid and withdraw from UN's health agency WHO has sent shock waves around the world.
"The era of poly-crisis is upon us, with pandemics, climate change, conflicts and humanitarian crises locking horns in all corners of the world."
In his televised message, WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the catalytic potential of leadership on NCDs towards the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health (UNHLM) in 2025, and beyond.
"We have the power to change this attitude. This requires sustainable financing, sustainable advocacy and partnership," he said.
Rwanda a beacon of hope
East African nation Rwanda is leading the charge in Africa’s battle against NCDs through progressive policies and health programmes.
Measures such as banning public tobacco smoking, implementing monthly car-free days, clean air policies and mandating NCD screening for individuals aged 30 and above have significantly reduced NCD-related deaths.
During a visit to Masaka District Hospital, Dr Francois Uwinkindi, the division manager for NCDs at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, highlighted the country’s efforts to integrate and decentralize NCD care within the healthcare system, focusing on awareness, screening, and patient follow-up.
“Through the PEN-Plus programme, we have set up a clear health care system, trained nurses and equipped them with the necessary tools, particularly for screening,” he said.
Uwinkindi explained that Rwanda’s community health insurance scheme allows people to access healthcare services without limitations.
The system is supported by an electronic medical recording platform that facilitates patient follow-up.
“We have four community health workers and volunteers per village. Additionally, we have established health posts — clinics located closer to the people, particularly in remote areas — which intensify awareness and screening efforts," said Uwinkindi.
But despite these advancements, Rwanda still faces a high burden of NCDs. As of 2023, 46 per cent of deaths in the country were attributed to NCDs, while 43 per cent resulted from infectious diseases.
Uwinkindi said inadequate financing remains a challenge, with only 14 per cent of the national health budget allocated to NCDs.
“Rwanda is a rare beacon of hope for the entire region,” said Gene Bukhman, co-chair of the NCDI Poverty Network, urging other countries to pick lessons.
Uganda is one of the countries implementing the PEN-Plus programme, a WHO Africa strategy aimed at addressing NCDs at primary referral hospitals.
By 2040, NCDs are projected to be responsible for approximately 81 per cent of global deaths, surpassing deaths from infectious diseases, with the majority occurring in low- and middle-income countries.