NCDI Poverty Network

12/30/2025

🗓️ As we look ahead into 2026, let's take a moment to look back!

The NCDI Poverty Network launched in December 2020 to expand access to lifesaving treatments for children, adolescents, and adults living with severe, chronic noncommunicable diseases ( ) in extreme poverty. In its first five years, the Network has transformed from an idea into a vibrant international movement, with 29 partner countries in sub-Saharan Africa, southern Asia, and the Caribbean, as well as advocacy, funding, policy, and technical partners from around the world.

Here are highlights and milestones from our first five years: https://www.ncdipoverty.org/fifth-anniversary-milestones

Above all, thank you for your partnership, dedication, and solidarity. We're excited for what's ahead! 🌟

12/24/2025

12/22/2025

🎉 WE'VE TURNED FIVE! 🎉

The Network’s official launch took place in December 2020, in a Zoom call at the height of the COVID pandemic. That call has since grown into an international movement for health equity and child health, with 29 countries initiating the PEN-Plus model of care for severe, chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease and childhood-onset heart disease.

The Network now supports more than 100 PEN-Plus clinics across sub-Saharan Africa, southern Asia and the Caribbean. With our implementing partners, those clinics have cared for more than 30,000 people living with NCDs --- fueling transformative change for individuals, families, communities, and national health systems.

As we celebrate this progress, most of all, we want to thank you -- whether you've been part of the Network since the beginning or are just learning about our shared mission, your support, collaboration and encouragement make this movement possible.

We're proud of how far we've come and excited for what's next. Let's keep moving forward, together.

Helmsley Charitable Trust Universidade Eduardo Mondlane Brigham and Women's Hospital Breakthrough T1D Beyond Type 1 UNICEF USA NCD Alliance The Lancet Partners In Health Harvard Medical School

Five years. Twenty-nine countries. Over a hundred PEN-Plus clinics. More than 14,000 patients. Together, the many collaborators that compose the NCDI Poverty Network deliver hope and healthcare to children, adolescents, and young adults navigating the dual challenges of poverty and severe, chronic n

12/19/2025

One of our favorite highlights from the past year has been this uplifting, R&B-style song that sounds like a radio hit and is uplifting peer groups in -- because care for severe, chronic extends beyond clinical resources. Social support, peer education and community empowerment all are vital, as well. Check out the story and crank up the song -- it'll brighten your day! The lyrics are Portuguese (English translation in the story) but the bop crosses borders!

PORTUGUESE: Esta canção em português é uma alegria R&B que apoia grupos de pares para doenças não transmissíveis em Moçambique. Link e detalhes na história.

Universidade Eduardo Mondlane Ivanilson René

The catchy, R&B-style track is providing new support and empowerment for people living with severe, chronic noncommunicable diseases such as type 1 diabetes.

12/18/2025

Congratulations, Evans! This is a wonderful and well-deserved recognition. Proud to witness your work and have you as part of our Voices for PEN-Plus team.

A big shout out to our very own Programs Coordinator Evans M. Malik's for getting recognition during Universal Health coverage day. We always very appreciative for the dedication you put into advocating for Congenital Heart disease and Rheumatic Heart Disease.
We appreciate you.
Keep advocating.
Ruth Ngwaro NCDI Poverty Network NCD AllianceGlobal Alliance for Rheumatic and Congenital Hearts

11/26/2025

The PEN-Plus movement got a boost at in Montreal, where the integrated model of care for severe noncommunicable diseases ( ) drew attention as a growing, successful strategy for improving child health in low- and middle-income countries.

International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes - ISPAD

The PEN-Plus model of care is not only improving treatment and accessibility for people living with type 1 diabetes, but it’s also placing an emphasis on the disease that had not previously existed in some parts of the world, Dr. Gene Bukhman said the recent International Society for Pediatric and...

11/26/2025

If you are in New Orleans next week, this is an unbelievable lineup for an unbelievable cause - support Kyler Cares and help empower people of color living with type 1 .

In the spirit of purpose and the season of giving, we’re thrilled to invite you to our Second Annual Kyler Cares Fundraiser—this time, right at home in New Orleans.

11/19/2025

Dr. Neil Gupta, senior director of policy for the network, and Dr. Yvette Kisaka of the Kenya Ministry of Health speak at today’s launch event for Kenya’s National Operating Plan for PEN-Plus and treatment of NCDs such as type 1 , disease, and childhood-onset heart disease.

NCD Alliance

11/19/2025

Great news out of Liberia, where FrontPage Africa reports on the expansion of the PEN-Plus model of care for such as type 1 , disease, and childhood-onset . The article cites Clinton Health Access Initiative and the World Health Organization African Region, and says the initiative, "aims to decentralize the management of severe chronic illnesses and ensure that lifesaving care becomes accessible even in remote communities."

Voinjama, Lofa County – The Government of Liberia has taken a major step toward expanding specialized healthcare services with the launch of the PEN-Plus scale-up program in B**g and Lofa Counties. By Selma Lomax selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com The initiative, implemented by

11/14/2025

Asked during this launch event for his wish, Dr. Neil Gupta, our senior director of policy, said it would be for every single person living with type 1 to be counted and provided access to treatment -- because in so many places around the world, that is not the case, and the consequences are devastating. The new ALIGN T1D partnership will go a long way toward reaching Neil's wish, and we're excited to be part of the work it will take to get there.

World’s leading type 1 diabetes funders, industry partners, and advocates unite behind a multi-phase plan to improve care for 165,000 people in three initial start-up geographies NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2025 – Breakthrough T1D and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, together with Roc...

11/13/2025

Excited to be part of this can't miss event tomorrow, on . Register below for the launch of the new ALIGN-T1D partnership, and join the effort to improve care and access to medicine worldwide for people living with type 1 .

11/07/2025

Got two minutes to learn about structural inequities in health care? Our associate director of advocacy, Dr. Apoorva Gomber, describes how the PEN-Plus model of care for like type 1 is strengthening health systems in rural areas of lower-income countries, during remarks yesterday at in . Give a listen for a jolt of energy and optimism iin your day!