The impact from chronic non-communicable diseases on morbidity and mortality rates in low-income country is nowadays generally recognized. The lack of means allocated to these diseases, the low amount of initiatives undertaken and their fragmentation, triggered the set-up of a working group within Be-cause health on this theme. One of the goals of the group remains the integration of these illnesses in health care services and at all levels of the health care pyramid. Be-cause health remains an open forum to share field experiences and research on the topic.

By chronic non-communicable diseases, we mean cardiovascular illnesses (like high blood pressure and vascular heart or brain problems), cancers, chronic respiratory problems (like asthma and chronic bronchial pneumonia) and diabetes. Health policies of countries in the South and the interventions of the Belgian development cooperation should focus more on ‘chronic non-communicable diseases’.

In September 2012, a working group CNCDs started its activities with a focus on diabetes and gradually other themes such as mental health. The working group gathered about 15 experts from the health sector who are in one way or the other involved in the fight against diabetes in Africa. The group looked at operational problems and potential solutions being developed: research, education of health care staff, programmes for detection and treatment, the establishment of committees of diabetes patients, interventions to facilitate access to insulin, etc.