On the Road to UNHLM 2025: Forging Stronger Frameworks for NCD Care Transformation

Health systems worldwide are increasingly strained by the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, mainly in low and middle-income countries(LMICs). Despite commitments to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), many countries and regions lack comprehensive strategic frameworks to address NCDs and have not fully utilised health innovation and technology to improve care. The East African Community (EAC) is making significant progress with a framework that integrates comprehensive NCD prevention and management, health innovation, and multi-sectoral collaboration. As the 2025 UN High-level Meeting on NCDs nears, it’s crucial to identify key enablers to enhance NCD care and rethink approaches for achieving future global and regional targets. Sharing the EAC’s model could inspire other regions to adopt best practices, strengthening health systems to manage the NCD burden while advancing UHC goals.