PEN-Plus in Action: Launching a global partnership to fight type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, rheumatic and congenital heart disease, and other severe NCDs among the world's poorest children and young adults

Convened by the NCDI Poverty Network, Helmsley Charitable Trust, UNICEF and WHO/AFRO, this galvanizing event will tackle the critical need to expand access to high-quality care through the PEN-Plus Partnership for children and young adults living in extreme poverty who suffer hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths every year from severe non-communicable diseases (NCDs), like type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and rheumatic and congenital heart disease.

This in-person event aims to inspire communities and countries across the globe to support implementation of PEN-Plus – a proven service delivery model for severe chronic NCDs that brings life-saving care to poor, rural communities in lower-income countries.

Speakers from across the global health community, including policymakers, political leaders, care providers and people living with NCDs will share their commitments to drive health system improvements and spotlight opportunities to better integrate services for chronic conditions at all levels.

Key speakers include:
Dr. Aboubacar Kampo, Director, Health Programmes, UNICEF
Dr. Gina Agiostratidou, T1D Program Director, Helmsley Charitable Trust
Dr. Aaron Kowalski, CEO, JDRF International
Dr. Gene Bukhman, Co-Chair, NCDI Poverty Network
Dr. Ana Mocumbi, Co-Chair, NCDI Poverty Network
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa (video)

Providing quality treatment for severe NCDs that cause hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths every year among the world's poorest children and young adults must be a global health priority. PEN-Plus has proven that it is possible and affordable. We look forward to your participation in what promises to be an exciting discussion.

If you are unable to attend in person but would like information about how to watch the live stream online, please indicate your interest on the RSVP form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1X-7OvTzC_x5hmpg3q-E-8hNCkcWtSYNibn2jp4O...

Please direct any questions to Maia Olsen, NCDI Poverty Network Advocacy Director, at [email protected]