DENMARK—The World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) and the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) have signed a seven-year Partnership Framework Agreement (2024-2030) under which WDF would receive 260 million DKK (US$ 37.80 million).
The grant is expected to speed up the prevention and treatment of diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The agreement was signed on March 12 at the WDF Office in Denmark in the presence of WDF’s Board of Directors, NNF CEO Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, and Novo Nordisk A/S CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen.
The cooperation is guided by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3.4, which aims to reduce NCD-related premature death by one-third through prevention and treatment while also promoting mental health and well-being.
The Partnership Agreement, signed in collaboration with the International Diabetes Federation, will broaden the scope and impact of WDF initiatives in countries where the diabetes problem is most severe.
It is estimated that 75% of the world’s 537 million adults with diabetes live in LMICs.
Approximately two-thirds of these cases go undetected, resulting in life-threatening consequences, premature mortality, and overburdened healthcare systems.
NCDs, including diabetes, account for 74% of global mortality each year, with LMICs accounting for 85%.
While the global NCD response has gained traction, funding remains inadequate, and national efforts are underfunded.
This calls on foundations and other philanthropic organizations to increase their contributions and integrate with national and global frameworks for NCD prevention and care; the WDF-NNF Framework Agreement responds to this essential need for expedited action.
The agreement signals the start of a new period of partnership between the two foundations. The comprehensive, strategic framework will support WDF’s efforts to expand NCD prevention and care.
The new Agreement remains connected with the geographical focus of NNF and WDF’s existing collaboration, focusing on the Middle East, Eastern Africa, and India.
Speaking during the reception, Dr. Anil Kapur, Chairman of the WDF Board, thanked NNF for their ambitions in supporting people living with cardiometabolic diseases in LMICs, their trust in WDF, and for consistently raising the bar and supporting WDF over the years, resulting in a long-lasting impact.
On his part, Professor Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of NNF, expressed his pleasure in partnering with WDF to provide them with much greater flexibility, allowing them to engage with new partners and reach more people in need of prevention and diabetes care in the geographical focus areas experiencing the burden of diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases.
The agreement aims to bolster the healthcare system by facilitating primary prevention and innovative finance as new focal areas, while maintaining strategic goals regarding NCDs in humanitarian settings and Type 1 Diabetes.
This initiative will guarantee a sustainable, resilient, and equitable healthcare system capable of delivering quality NCD services to the community.
With a particular emphasis on projects in humanitarian settings, the agreement seeks to integrate diabetes and NCD prevention and care into humanitarian operations, ensuring uninterrupted access to excellent care for patients.
This effort will also enhance access to vital and specialized treatment for children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes by promoting and reinforcing the integration of T1D care into national policies and health systems, thereby improving continuity of care.
These projects to be supported through the partnership agreement will be co-developed and implemented by WDF partner organizations.
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