Funds for a new partnership with NCD Alliance of Kenya

NCDs in Kenya

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, diabetes and lunge diseases is a massive issue world-wide. In 2016, NCDs was cause for 72% of all deaths and nearly half of these was people under the age of 60. NCDs poses a significant challenge in East Africa and it is predicted to be the leading cause of death in 2030 at the latest. Already today in Kenya, NCDs are reason for 33% of all deaths. To compare, the risk of dying from an NCD in Denmark is 13,3% while the number for Kenya is 18,1%. This number is evidence for the disproportionate risk of NCDs for low- and middle income countries. The primary barrier and challenge is the lack of resources which implies that the health systems in East Africa aren’t prepared for the challenge which will only grow bigger in the future if it is not acted upon.

The collaboration between the Danish NCD Alliance and NCD Alliance of Kenya

NCD Alliance of Kenya (NCDAK) was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of East Africa NCD Alliance (EANCDA) in 2014, and the relationship between the Danish NCD Alliance (DNCDA) and NCDAK has always been close. Through EANCDA communication has happened continuously but this project constitutes the first formal collaboration. The project will therefore strengthen the collaboration between NCDAK, DNCDA, EANCDA and its member countries. NCDAK has extensive experience with advocacy and has accomplished significant results since its establishment in 2011.

The project

The focus of the project is to give patients living with NCDs a united voice in Kenya, no matter the location, and that these will be heard when the strongly needed political changes are being made. Besides this, the project’s focus is also on collecting more elaborate data which will be put to use in the advocacy work for better allocation of resources. More specifically, the project will gather patient groups in six counties of Kenya and give them the capabilities to speak for themselves and advocate for their own rights and political changes.