NCDI Poverty Network

10/29/2025

📅Join the launch ALIGN-T1D - an alliance of the largest donors of T1D programs in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) & community representatives - on , 14 November at 14:00 CET.
🔗 Register here 👉 https://globalhealthstrategies.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9II9UFc7Sy2Y3B15Kl4tVg #/registration

The event is convened by Breakthrough T1D Advocacy & Helmsley Charitable Trust and will include stories from people living with T1D as well as a lively panel discussion and deep-dive conversation.

10/29/2025

Real, lasting change for people living with (T1D) requires bold, collective action.

On , we’re joining partners across philanthropy, industry, and civil society to launch ALIGN-T1D, a groundbreaking alliance dedicated to advancing equitable access to T1D care worldwide.

Join the virtual launch and learn how this initiative is helping to ensure that everyone with T1D has access to the care they need to thrive.

📅 Friday, November 14, 2025
⏰ 8:00–9:00 AM EST
🔗 Register here: https://rb.gy/ru4qce

10/24/2025

"One approach already showing impact is PEN-Plus, developed by the NCDI Poverty Network and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

PEN-Plus expands care for severe NCDs — , rheumatic , and disease — into district-level health facilities. By training mid-level providers, creating referral and mentorship systems, and embedding services in rural hospitals, PEN-Plus brings life-saving care much closer to home, free of charge.

We’ve seen this model in action. More than 15,000 people are now receiving treatment for severe NCDs across implementing countries in the African region. Children and young people who once faced life-threatening gaps in care are growing up healthier and more hopeful.

At an event hosted by UNICEF USA, Lilly and Helmsley Charitable Trust on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Dr. Neil Gupta, Senior Director of Policy at the NCDI Poverty Network, described why scaling PEN-Plus matters: “Governments know that if they invest in PEN-Plus, they’re investing in information systems, supply chains, and infrastructure. They’re investing in the core building blocks they need to provide universal primary healthcare at ground level.”

At the High-Level Meeting on NCDs, world leaders showed strong commitment to act on noncommunicable diseases. Now it’s time to deliver.

In a new Insight post, T1D Program Officer James Reid, MPA reflects on what it will take — from scaling proven models like PEN-Plus to sustainable financing to community-led action.

Read more: https://bit.ly/43x4tRe

10/23/2025

It's a joy to listen to Prof. Goma talk about the growth and development of PEN-Plus clinics and care for severe noncommunicable diseases in Zambia. As a bonus, this video includes a scene from a morning energizer at Camp Tuli Bonse in August, in case your day needs a lift and some warrior spirit!

10/21/2025

Great news in Bangladesh, where a PEN-Plus study tour hosted by UNICEF and the Bangladesh Ministry of Health is off to a wonderful start. Delegations of health leaders from Pakistan, Bhutan and Cambodia are joining the tour, learning about the PEN-Plus model of care for severe, chronic noncommunicable diseases ( ) such as type 1 , and childhood-onset .

10/15/2025

From spending two months in a diabetic coma to becoming a global advocate for people living with type 1 : Emmanuella Selasi Hermanoo, general secretary of Diabetes Youth Care in Ghana and a Voices for PEN-Plus team member, shares her story Monday at the World Health Summit in Berlin.

In less than five minutes, Emmanuella takes the audience from her frustration after repeated missed or inaccurate diagnoses and constant lack of awareness, to healing and learning how to manage her diabetes, and finally to turning her "anger into advocacy" by supporting mentoring, support groups, health education and more for young people with severe noncommunicable diseases ( ). If you need a daily dose of empowerment, strength, and resilience, this is it.

10/08/2025

New piece by Medscape shows how the PEN-Plus clinical services and strategy for -- such as and -- could be a model for improving in Europe's "cardiology deserts." Another great example of how PEN-Plus, now initiated by nearly 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia, has global implications for better care and stronger health systems:

Lauded for its healthcare, the EU still has cardiology deserts. Can Global South know-how and a cancer plan blueprint turn more of Europe’s cardiovascular care map green?

10/02/2025

During the opening of the Sept. 25 High-Level Meeting on and , at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, repeated mentions of PEN-Plus as a successful strategy for addressing NCDs formed a show of unity in a week often noted for dissension.
https://www.ncdipoverty.org/blog/pen-plus-in-the-other-spotlight-during-unga-week



World Health Organization African Region UNICEF USA UNICEF

During the opening plenary of the Sept. 25 High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health, at the UN General Assembly in New York City, repeated mentions of PEN-Plus as a successful strategy for addressing NCDs formed a show of unity in a week often noted for dissension.

09/24/2025

Day 3 of is underway! Dr. Neil Gupta, senior director of policy for the network, emphasized at this morning’s UNICEF USA event that PEN-Plus clinical services for put children and families at the center of care. Titled “Healthy Starts,” the event focused on accelerating NCD prevention and care for youth - a pillar of our position statement and advocacy this week. The accompanying photo, on display at the venue, shows the impact PEN-Plus is having in Malawi.

https://www.ncdipoverty.org/hlm2025-position-statement

09/23/2025

Great episode on a timely topic, featuring two of our Voices of PEN-Plus team members. Centering people with lived experience with is vital during week, and always!

🤔What does meaningful involvement of people living with in decision-making really look like? How can we move past tokenism in global discussions such as the UN High-Level Meeting ( ) on NCDs & ?

🎧This Voices of the Health Revolution episode explores these questions with insights from Anu Gomanju, NCDI Poverty Network , and Edith Mukantwari, Africa Diabetes Alliance.

🔗https://actonncds.org/stories/podcasts/voices-health-revolution
🔎Or find it wherever you get your podcasts.

09/23/2025

Our Voices for PEN-Plus team is taking the stage at in NYC! Ruth Ngwaro, who was born with a congenital heart defect and advocates for people living with through organizations including the Kenya Mended Hearts Patient's Association, speaks this morning on a panel about centering children and young people in the global agenda.