27 September 2024, Geneva - The NCD Alliance is pleased to announce a new partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim to advance health systems strengthening with a focus on equitable access care for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

The global burden of NCDs is unacceptable, inequitable, and increasing. NCDs are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. With at least one in three people living with a NCD and half the world's population lacking essential health services, many are not receiving the care they need.

This collaboration will spotlight best practices in health systems strengthening for NCDs through a series of case studies, developed in the lead-up to the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs (UNHLM).

The 2024-2025 partnership comes at a critical time for NCDs. Global progress on NCD goals and targets is off track, with significant implementation gaps, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

“Through this partnership, we have a unique opportunity to showcase successful examples of health system strengthening for the NCD response, particularly addressing health equity and reaching underserved communities," said Katie Dain, CEO of NCD Alliance. "Our goal is to ensure access to quality care for all, regardless of income or geography.”

There will also be significant opportunities in the next two years to accelerate global NCD policy and advocacy, starting with the momentum that is building towards the UNHLM. At the same time, global political support is rising for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), with governments making progress to implement national UHC responses and benefit packages. This could provide opportunities for the NCD community to secure political commitments addressing the unique challenges and inequities in NCD care in LMICs.

"This partnership couldn't have come at a better time," says Médard Schoenmaeckers, Head of Corporate Affairs. "Together with the NCD Alliance, we are on a mission to overcome barriers to quality care. We believe that where you live or how much you earn shouldn't decide your access to treatment. This collaboration is our commitment to better health systems, to lessen the disease burden, and ultimately, to change the face of global health."

Key upcoming initiatives include:

• The Global Week for Action on NCDs (15-22 October): Convening under the theme of leadership in 2024 and 2025, this annual event unites the NCD community, including NCDA partners, concentrating our combined efforts to help reduce the NCD burden globally and improve health and equity for all. For the first time in six years, it will not be held in October, allowing it to coincide with the 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum.
• The Global NCDA Forum, Kigali, (20-22 October): The 2024 Forum, held for the first time in sub-Saharan Africa, will convene 600 delegates from across the NCD movement to galvanise momentum and step up action on NCDs globally. The Forum will provide the platform for the NCD movement to strategise, coordinate and unite ahead of the UNHLM, to ensure the meeting results in strong outcomes and meaningful change for people at risk and living with NCDs. Boehringer Ingelheim is a proud champion sponsor of the Forum.
• NCDA Advocacy Institute: Running from 2023-2025, the third phase of NCDA’s flagship capacity development programme supports newly forming and nascent national NCD alliances in the Seed track with the foundations of coalition building, organisational development and advocacy. It will also support established national/regional NCD alliances in the Accelerator track to create nationally led, results-focused advocacy campaigns on priority policy issues, such as NCD prevention, access to care/integration and financing.

Via the partnership, Boehringer Ingelheim and NCDA will drive advocacy to strengthen health systems to respond to NCDs and ensure integration of NCDs within UHC and primary health care, emphasising cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic conditions. The partnership will also strengthen the evidence and advocacy to address inequities in access to NCD care, including reaching the most vulnerable populations and those left behind.