The Ifakara Health Institute is pleased to have participated in the 3rd International Conference on the PEN-Plus Regional Strategy to address Severe Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) in Africa (ICPPA 2026), held from June 23 to 25, 2026.

The high-level convening marked a historic return to Dar es Salaam—the birthplace of the conference series, following its inaugural edition in April 2024 and a second gathering held in Abuja, Nigeria in 2025.

Exhibition Spotlight: CareChain-NCD Project

At the heart of Ifakara’s participation was a dedicated exhibition booth showcasing the institute’s expanding noncommunicable diseases (NCD) research and intervention portfolio, with particular focus on the CareChain-NCD project.

The booth was led by Evance Mahundi, Project Coordinator of CareChain-NCD at Ifakara Health Institute, who engaged with international delegates, regional health ministers, and clinical experts over the three-day conference. 

Discussions highlighted how Ifakara’s locally designed interventions are strengthening continuous, people-centred networks of care for chronic diseases in underserved communities.

Advancing equitable care for severe NCDs

The conference brought together heads of state, senior policymakers, ministry officials, global health partners, and researchers to accelerate collective action toward equitable access to quality chronic care across Africa.

Central discussions focused on the PEN-Plus integrated and decentralized model of care, which addresses the lifelong burden of severe NCDs affecting children, adolescents, and young adults. Priority conditions included: Type 1 diabetes, Sickle cell disease, Rheumatic heart disease and Congenital heart disease

About the conference

Led by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa in collaboration with the NCDI Poverty Network and supported by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, the PEN-Plus strategy has now been rolled out across 20 countries in the WHO African region, expanding access to care in rural and underserved settings.

The conference concluded with the adoption of a Ministerial Communique, alongside the official launch of the PEN-Plus Operational Manual and the 2025 PEN-Plus Advocacy Report—key milestones aimed at strengthening implementation across member states.