'Collaboration, investment key in fighting non-communicable diseases'

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Leaders in countries waging the war against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been advised to work in partnerships and remain coordinated.

“It is very important that we define the role of the partnerships because we see a lot of crisscrossing and duplication in some of the entities,” said Dr Diana Atwine, the permanent secretary of Uganda's health ministry.

She emphasized the need for coordinated efforts and synergy among stakeholders to ensure tangible results in fighting NCDs, which are on the rise across Africa.

“We see a lot of silos which do not align with the NCDs programme. Partnerships will bring synergy to help us improve performance and get the results."

The Ugandan government has been partnering with Healthy Heart Africa, AstraZeneca, Novartis, and NCD Alliance to fight the NCD burden.

Speaking in Rwanda's capital Kigali last week, AstraZeneca Africa, Area Vice-President Deepak Arora called for collaboration and investment in NCD care, while encouraging government and organizational discussions and brainstorming to join the scaling impact of driving sustainable solutions.

Arora noted that AstraZeneca is committed to working alongside governments, healthcare providers, and communities to build stronger, more resilient health systems.

She was speaking to the topic: 'A decade of impact: Advancing Health Systems Resilience in Africa, Enhancing Equitable Care in NCDs' during the 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum that ended last Saturday (February 15).

It was the first edition to be held in sub-Saharan Africa and was held under the theme: 'Leadership on NCDs towards 2025 & beyond'.

The three-day forum attracted over 700 advocates, experts and ministerial representatives from over 89 countries working in NCD prevention and care.

The forum was a key global health event in the lead up to the 4th United Nations High Level Meeting on NCDs due this September in New York.

Dr Atwine with the Uganda team at NCD Alliance Forum. (Credit: Agnes Kyotalengerire)

2030 projections

The increasing burden of (NCDs), such as cardiovascular, renal, metabolic diseases, and mental health conditions, is pushing Africa’s healthcare systems to their limit.

It is projected that by 2030, NCDs are expected to account for 46% of all fatalities in Africa, marking the largest increase in NCD-related mortality globally. 

Individuals in the region aged between 30 and 70 have a 20.7% chance of dying from one of the major NCDs. 

Cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases are emerging as key contributors to this growing health crisis, both globally and regionally.

Dr Githinji Gitahi from Amref Health Africa highlighted the crucial role of government leadership in healthcare systems, particularly in ensuring access and affordability for primary care.

He said advocacy and partnerships need to extend to the realization of socioeconomic development.

Other than peace and security in the African continent, there is need to think about how to address the NCDs challenge, where by 2063, about 87% of people dying in Africa will die of NCDs.

The worrying bit is that the model of health financing and the fiscal space in the continent does not come anywhere close to providing the care that is needed for NCDs.

“We cannot afford it,” said Gitai.

Katie Dain, CEO of the NCD Alliance, called for primary healthcare investments, integrating care at that primary healthcare level.

“We need to be making sure that every dollar spent on health goes as far as possible so that we are maximizing that moment of when a patient walks through the door of a healthcare clinic," she said.

"We are not just treating them for HIV, TB, malaria or children's health, but rather thinking about it from an integrated approach, bringing in NCDs."