The NCDs and UHC Accelerator Programme Virtual Training 2021, a component of the NCD Alliance’s flagship Advocacy Institute, took place between June and July 2021, training 27 representatives of the 11 alliances participating in the NCDs and UHC Accelerator Programme from Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, India, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Rwanda, Tanzania and Vietnam.

This training successfully strengthened the capacity and increased the knowledge and skills of established NCD alliances to conduct strategic advocacy for UHC and NCDsThe training built on the introductory curriculum of the first year of the training held in November 2020, which focused on building knowledge on health system building blocks and UHC.

In light of prevailing travel restrictions, this interactive training was delivered virtually and included four modules: 1) Conducting Strategic Advocacy for Achieving UHC for NCDs;  2)Integrating NCDs with broader health agendas under UHC; 3) Advocacy for financing for NCDs and UHC and 4) Promoting good governance for NCDs and UHC.

Coordinated by NCDA’s Capacity Development team, the training involved several members and supporters as faculty and expert speakers, including representatives of the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism for UHC 2030, The George Institute, NCD Child, International Diabetes Federation, Union for International Cancer Control, O'Neill Institute, World Diabetes Foundation, Rare Disease International, Health Finance Policy Team at the World Health Organization, representatives of the Ministries of Health in the Philippines and Rwanda, NCD alliances and advocates with lived experience.

Overall, 96% participants rated their experience of the training as good or excellent. Furthermore, after completing the training, 96% of the participants felt more confident in their knowledge of conducting strategic advocacy and advocacy planning NCDs and UHC, compared to only 63% at the start. This gives a positive signal that the objectives of the training were met and that participants found it useful for their in-country and regional advocacy efforts.

“Thank you for the opportunity. Love all the modules!” commented a participant from Malaysia,  “Thank you NCD alliance and presenters [for organising] a great training course to improve our knowledge about UHC. This is really helpful for our current advocacy work” another from Vietnam added.

For more information on the Advocacy Institute and the NCDs and UHC Accelerator Programme, please visit here.

Participation of alliances in this Programme is possible thanks to NCDA’s partnership with Access Accelerated, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, and Viatris.