The Rwandan government announced plans to raise $638 million to tackle non-communicable diseases. According to Health Minister Daniel Ngamije (pictured), the money will be injected in a new NCD campaign which aims to reduce premature mortality due to these types of diseases by 25% over the next five years.

Actions will focus on prevention through health promotion and the reduction of risk factors. According to a 2016 WHO report, 44% of deaths in Rwanda are due to non-communicable diseases which include cardiovascular diseases (heart and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as asthma), and diabetes. Yet, according to the Ministry of Health, the NCD segment is not sufficiently covered by the national budget, accounting on average for 0.8 to 2% of Rwanda's total health expenditures.

“Some countries are currently on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 to significantly reduce premature mortality for both men and women from non-communicable diseases by 2030. I am convinced that the current Rwanda strategic plan for the next five years would allow us to take a big step forward,” said Minister Ngamije, quoted by the New Times.

A total of 4.8 million people are expected to benefit from the new five-year strategy.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou