Access Accelerated and the World Bank Collaborate via New Technical Partnership in Cooperation with Results for Development to Build a Coalition Aimed at Closing the Health Financing Gap for Noncommunicable Diseases in Low and Middle-Income Countries

GENEVA and LILONGWE, Malawi, Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the launch of a transformative initiative as Access Accelerated and the World Bank come together in a new technical partnership, working in close cooperation with Results for Development (R4D) to build a coalition of global and local organizations aimed at addressing the critical shortfall in healthcare financing for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The regional Financing Accelerator Network for NCDs (FAN) is designed to bridge this gap through regionally hosted NCD Financing Accelerators, starting in Sub-Saharan Africa. These regional accelerators will collaborate with countries and local stakeholders to promote and scale sustainable health financing solutions, tackling one of the most pressing barriers to addressing the growing NCD burden. 

NCDs, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, and mental and neurological disorders, are responsible for approximately 41 million global deaths annually–a figure projected to rise to 52 million by 2030. This escalating challenge represents a significant threat to global health and economic growth, with projected costs of USD47 trillion in healthcare and lost productivity between 2010 and 2030. Despite the clear and urgent threat, current government spending and development assistance fall short of the investment needed to mitigate the rising death toll and its economic impact. 

The Financing Accelerator Network for NCDs aims to address this challenge by supporting governments and local stakeholders in strengthening their NCD response and building more resilient health financing systems, with a focus on advancing universal health coverage and building strong primary healthcare systems – key goals within the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

"We've heard from governments and local stakeholders that they need expertise, support, and locally relevant solutions to transform their health financing systems," says Herb Riband, Director at Access Accelerated. "We have to respond to the call to help countries build financial and technical capacity to address NCDs and improve health outcomes." 

The network of regional NCD Financing Accelerators in the Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific regions, supported by R4D as Network Manager, will provide regional expertise, on-demand technical support, cross-country learning opportunities, and catalytic seed funding to programs aimed at improving NCD financing and health outcomes. 

"We are excited to support the new Access Accelerated-World Bank technical partnership, leveraging our expertise in health financing and cross-country learning to strengthen health systems worldwide," says Gina Lagomarsino, President and CEO of Results for Development. "Through the FAN initiative, we are dedicated to collaborating with local change agents in various global settings, ensuring that our efforts have local relevance and global impact, empowering health systems to effectively address the epidemiological transition to NCDs." 

The first regional NCD Financing Accelerator will be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa by the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP). Sub-Saharan Africa faces the fastest-growing rates of NCD incidence and mortality, yet only 7.2% of government spending is allocated to health, far below the average of 12.4% in other regions. This stark discrepancy underscores the urgent need for new approaches to health financing. 

"The growing evidence of the impact of NCDs in Africa, not just on health, but across all aspects of society, calls for forward thinking and innovation on the continent, to save lives and ensure wellbeing and prosperity," explains Dr. Rose Oronje, Director of Public Policy & Knowledge Translation and Head of Kenya Office at AFIDEP. "As the host of the first regional NCD Financing Accelerator, we will use evidence to unite and mobilize country change agents and empower local stakeholders to co-create solutions, foster cohesive communities of learners, and overcome common health financing challenges." 

In the coming months, FAN will prioritize a comprehensive analysis of the NCD financing landscape across the African region. This effort, already underway, engages government officials, policymakers, and other stakeholders to identify key challenges, opportunities, and priorities. The findings, expected by early 2025, will guide the learning agenda and shape strategies and solutions to drive on-the-ground impact across the continent. 

About the Financing Accelerator Network for NCDs  
The Financing Accelerator Network for NCDs (FAN) is a transformative initiative established via a new technical partnership between Access Accelerated and the World Bank, in close cooperation with Results for Development, to build a growing coalition of global and local organizations in support of improving sustainable financing for NCDs in low- and middle-income countries. FAN operates through regionally based NCD Financing Accelerators that support governments and local stakeholders with technical support, cross-country learning, and catalytic seed funding to advance local NCD financing programs. The African Institute for Development Policy will host the inaugural accelerator in Sub-Saharan Africa. This initiative aligns with and will support the World Bank's goal to provide quality health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030 as well as Access Accelerated's mission to drive scalable, sustainable progress on NCDs as part of universal health coverage. Learn more at: www.ncdfinancing.org 

Media contacts:
Access Accelerated                                  AFIDEP
Thuy Khuc-Bilon                                       Adaudo Anyiam Osigwe
thuy@humankindstories.org                    adaudo.anyiam-osigwe@afidep.org 
+41 79 473 0341                                      +265 899 134 242         

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