What we do
In the Danish NCD Alliance, we work through our member organizations to strengthen patient associations and NCD alliances in East Africa, ensuring that patients and their families have a strong voice and can advocate for better prevention and treatment of cancer, diabetes, lung, and cardiovascular diseases (NCDs).
The work in Uganda
The NCD Alliance in Uganda (UNCDA), alongside the Ministry of Health, is a leading force in the fight against NCDs in Uganda. UNCDA is an established civil society organization (CSO) that leads other CSOs in addressing the NCD challenge.
Established in 2010, UNCDA comprises three associations: the Uganda Diabetes Association, the Uganda Cancer Society, and the Uganda Heart Research Foundation. Over the years, the Alliance has established 11 district-level branches across four regions of Uganda. These branches implement UNCDA’s activities at both the district and regional levels. UNCDA also has partnerships with 12 other civil society organizations working to ensure the general population’s access to prevention and treatment. UNCDA has supported eight districts in setting up eight NCD clinics in rural areas to provide NCD screening, diagnosis, and education.
Some of UNCDA’s key objectives are:
- Promoting research to inform and raise awareness around NCDs
- Providing increased patient support, such as free screening
- Improving medical expertise on NCDs
Read more about UNCDA here
The work in Tanzania
After a year in Uganda, we decided to support efforts with patient associations in neighboring Tanzania.
The situation in Tanzania was comparable to that in Uganda when we began work there. At that time, there was a well-organized diabetes association, the Tanzania Diabetes Association, but no other NCD associations. We have supported the establishment of the Tanzania Heart Association, the Tanzania Respiratory Association, and the Tanzania Cancer Association. Together with the diabetes association, they formed the Tanzania NCD Alliance (TANCDA) at a general assembly in the summer of 2012.
After many years of advocacy by the Tanzania NCD Alliance (TANCDA) and national civil society, a bill for universal health insurance was finally passed and signed into law on December 6, 2023. This law protects the right to healthcare services for all Tanzanians, regardless of ability to pay, and can be considered an inspiring example. The legislation was passed unanimously, reflecting a collective commitment to healthcare reform.
Read more about the TANCDA here
The work in Zanzibar
In 2010, then-Minister for Development Cooperation Søren Pind recommended establishing a partnership in Zanzibar, where DANIDA was already supporting the healthcare system. When we began work in Tanzania in 2011, we included representatives from Zanzibar in the initial activities.
The situation in Zanzibar was similar to that in Tanzania and Uganda. There was a diabetes association but no other patient associations for people with NCDs. We helped establish the Zanzibar Cancer Association and the Zanzibar NCD Alliance (ZNCDA). In 2014, a heart association was founded and accepted as a member.
Awareness on Prevention and Symptoms
Knowledge about NCDs in Zanzibar is limited. We assist the Zanzibar NCD Alliance in developing and carrying out awareness activities, including TV and radio broadcasts. The government in Zanzibar does not prioritize NCDs highly, even though there is substantial evidence of the scope of the issues and the benefits that prevention and awareness can bring. We support lobbying efforts to elevate NCDs on the political agenda, including the establishment of a cancer registry, as cancer cases are not recorded, and planning for prevention and treatment is insufficient.
Read more about ZNCDA here
The work in Burundi
Through our East African project, we have been actively involved in combating NCDs in Burundi. In 2016, we successfully united local civil society organizations to establish the Burundi NCD Alliance (BNCDA) with support from the project. Since then, we have focused on strengthening the alliance, and in 2017, we received funding for capacity building and to initiate activities.
The work in Burundi faces challenges due to unstable democratic institutions. Therefore, we place special emphasis on building the democratic foundation for association work, including the development of statutes, organizing general assemblies, and conducting workshops and seminars on organizational development.
The work in Rwanda
Through our East African project, we have actively contributed to the fight against NCDs in Rwanda over the past several years. This effort led to the establishment of the Rwanda NCD Alliance (RNCDA) in 2014, which subsequently brought together a range of local civil society organizations and was officially launched in 2016.
Since the Alliance’s formation, we have focused on strengthening it, resulting in a 2017 grant to support initial development of the Rwanda NCD Alliance, with an emphasis on capacity building and the start-up of activities.
In 2022, RNCDA was recognized for its years of dedicated work when it received the UN Interagency Task Force and WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care Award. This award acknowledges RNCDA’s significant efforts in coordinating NCD initiatives in Rwanda. RNCDA has, among other things, assisted the government and a coordination committee in implementing the national strategy and financial action plan against NCDs.
Rwanda's National NCD Strategy was launched in September 2021, with RNCDA serving as a key advisory partner in its development. The strategy is the result of cross-sector collaboration involving health experts, government entities, and various stakeholders, as well as community members, including people living with NCDs.
Since the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has undergone rapid development and is now considered one of the most stable and functional countries in East Africa. However, NCDs are a significant and growing challenge in the country, and this area has long been neglected, leaving the healthcare system unable to address these issues adequately.
Learn more about RNCDA here
The work in Kenya
Since 2012, the Kenya NCD Alliance (NCDAK) has been registered as an NGO in Kenya. The organization coordinates activities among multiple stakeholders addressing NCDs and collaborates with the Government of Kenya, including district-level actors working on NCD-related issues, to create synergy and promote awareness on the importance of achieving NCD targets.
In 2021, the Kenyan government launched a National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs. This strategy was, in part, the result of effective advocacy efforts by NCDAK. It presents a framework to guide the implementation of NCD initiatives in Kenya. NCDAK members, including patients and organizations, were involved in the working group that developed the strategy. This process provided a clear opportunity for people living with NCDs to participate in this critical decision-making.
Learn more about NCDAK here
The East African NCD Alliance
We established the East African NCD Alliance in collaboration with the East African NCD alliances to ensure that the fight against cancer, diabetes, heart, and lung diseases is placed firmly on the global political agenda.
The Danish NCD Alliance participates in a partnership with Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zanzibar within the framework of the East African Community.
The goal is to strengthen the capacity of the East African NCD Alliances for advocacy and to initiate regional lobbying efforts targeting the East African Community, the African Union, WHO’s Africa Region, and individual national governments.
Our focus is on building a robust organization that can develop and implement strategic plans for advocacy. A formal partnership among the East African NCD Alliances has been established through a Memorandum of Understanding. A leadership structure is in place with a CEO coordinating plan implementation. The organizational structure includes an annual general assembly where a chairperson and vice-chair are elected, as well as essential subgroups.
Representatives from the national NCD Alliances meet through workshops focused on key areas of their work. Workshops are also held in countries with less experience, led by those with more expertise. Partners like Aarhus University and the global NCD Alliance contribute to the development and participation in these workshops.
Knowledge Gathering
Operational research is central to this collaboration. We analyze where our advocacy can be most effective and prioritize research areas that can be used in dialogues with the East African Community, the African Union, and WHO Africa. Benchmark studies are conducted to assess how East African countries are meeting their commitments to cross-sectoral action plans, budgets, and implementation. We collaborate on fundraising to secure resources for knowledge gathering.
Network Building
We hold cross-sectoral meetings in East Africa to present research results, policy recommendations, and initiatives to governments and the UN system. This is followed by press campaigns and national campaigns in each country, including Denmark and the USA, and globally through the Global NCD Alliance and the Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network.
Global Responsibility
Achieving the UN’s goal of reducing premature NCD mortality by 33% by 2030 requires global cooperation. Fighting NCDs is crucial for sustainable development in the world’s poorest countries. We need to share knowledge, create new insights, secure financial resources, and prevent trade agreements that hinder prevention through healthy lifestyles. In Denmark, this means dialogue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NCD awareness initiatives, writing op-eds, and participating in relevant networks.
The East African partnership has also laid the groundwork for initiating an NCD collaboration among all NCD Alliances across Africa, not just East Africa.
Learn more about EANCDA here