Non-Communicable Disease in sub-Saharan Africa

Next Session: September 1, 2010, featuring CCA member Medtronic as moderator, the International Union against Cancer's Global Access to Pain Relief Initiative, and others TBD

In June 2010 CCA and the American Cancer Society (ACS) launched a new 3-part Working Forum on Noncommunicable Diseases in Africa. This small forum of key stakeholders will address how the private sector -- particularly CCA members -- can work to prevent, screen and treat non-communicable disease in Africa through sustainable initiatives, projects and partnerships. CCA initially addressed the topic during the launch of its "Investing in Health" breakfast series in December 2009 (see below). The working forum, held in partnership with ACS, is meant to build from that discussion.

The Honorary Chair of the forum is Haskell Ward, CCA Vice-Chairman and ACS' Global Health Strategic Advisory Committee Chair. The formation of the forum was partly driven by the recent U.N. resolution to hold a special summit on NCDs in the developing in 2011. (Click here to learn more about the U.N. resolution).

Rationale

Much like how multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder partnerships have made considerable progress on health challenges in Africa such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, there is ample room for the for-profit and non-profit private sectors to help combat the very serious health challenges of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes in Africa. The forum is intended to be a first step to advance this agenda, and represents a unique converging of corporate, NGO and public sector partners.

Sessions will take place throughout the summer of 2010. Active participants will include:

• The American Cancer Society and The Corporate Council on Africa (co-hosts)
• Development Finance International
• Project Hope
• GE
• Medtronic
• Jhpiego
• Other CCA members, esteemed representatives of the African diplomatic corps, civil society, US Government representatives, and others

Please contact Elizabeth Bachini at ebachini@africacncl.org for more information or to inquire about participating in one of the sessions.

Recommendations resulting from the forums will be presented during CCA's October 2010 US - Africa Private Sector Health Conference.

 

Non-Communicable Disease in sub-Saharan Africa - Leveraging Medical Technology

In December 2009, CCA's Health Initiative launched, "Investing in Health," a new year-long series of breakfast meetings on critical emerging topics for the private sector working in healthcare in Africa. The inaugural convening, entitled "Non-Communicable Disease in sub-Saharan Africa - Leveraging Medical Technology," brought together CCA members and public sector counterparts to discuss opportunities for leveraging U.S. technology and expertise to mitigate the incidence of conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The breakfast was generously sponsored by CCA member Merck & Co., Inc.

Featured Speakers

• Mary Ann Ring, Vice President, Capital Markets, General Electric, Co. (Moderator)
• H.E. Ambassador Hawa Olga Ndilowe, Ambassador of the Republic of Malawi to the United States
• Dr. Mukesh Chawla, Sector Manager Health - Nutrition and Population, The World Bank Group
• Dr. Trevor A. Gunn, Director, International Relations, Medtronic

Event Description

Over the next six years the number of deaths due to non-communicable conditions in Africa will exceed the number of deaths due to communicable diseases. The majority of this epidemiological shift will result from rapid increases in cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions such as cancer and diabetes. Despite increased recognition of the need to expand African health systems to address non-communicable health conditions, the majority of financial support still goes to confront infectious diseases. Inadequate funding, along with poor health infrastructure, poses significant challenges to addressing the growing health care requirements of Africa.

The opportunity for U.S. medical technology to help treat and manage chronic diseases in Africa was the subject of this dynamic panel of experts from the U.S. medical device industry, the African public sector and multilateral institutions. Participants discussed opportunities and barriers for leveraging trade and technology to mitigate the incidence and economic impact of non-communicable diseases and chronic conditions in Africa. Outcomes for this session included identification of potential action steps for how the U.S. public and private sectors and their African counterparts can harness technology to address the onset of non-communicable diseases and chronic conditions in Africa.

Please check CCA's Events Page for future Investing in Health breakfast dates and finalized agendas. Contact Elizabeth Bachini at ebachini@africacncl.org or Emmanuel Nouga at enouga@africacncl.org for questions and more information.