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Marlene Mumukunde: Attending the 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum was a proud moment

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Feb 20, 2025, 09:48

Marlene Mumukunde: Attending the 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum was a proud moment

Marlene Mumukunde, Technical Cooperation Manager of Africa at City Cancer Challenge, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Attending the 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum was a proud moment – witnessing Rwanda host brilliant minds tackling the burden of NCDs. It was inspiring to see advocates, experts, and people living with NCDs come together to discuss ways to act against NCDs.

As the world continues to grapple with several challenges, we are reminded of the resilience and richness of our cultural values. We feel grateful for the countries that house our dreams and ambitions – but these dreams can be shattered when a chronic illness enters the picture.

For those living with NCDs, their homes become a space for an unwanted foreigner – a condition they never invited but must learn to accommodate. And that could be any one of us, at any moment. The reality is, NCDs are on the rise, and access to quality care remains unequal.

Take breast cancer, for example: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, yet survival rates vary depending on where a woman lives. In high-income countries, early detection and treatment advancements have led to survival rates of over 90%.

However, in low- and middle-income countries, survival rates drop below 40% due to late diagnosis, limited access to care, and systemic barriers.

At the NCDF2025, I had the privilege of joining Direct Relief on a panel discussing ‘Addressing NCDs and Healthcare System Strengthening in LMICs through Partnership’, to showcase City Cancer Challenge’s work to improve breast cancer outcomes in LMICs.

Through our collaboration with Direct Relief and Amgen, we implemented targeted health system improvements that led to better outcomes for breast cancer women in Asuncion.

We must act now to close the Cancer care gap. Strategic partnerships, system-level improvements, and knowledge-sharing can drive real, sustainable impact in cancer care. Together, we can ensure that every patient—regardless of where they live – has access to the care they deserve.”

Marlene Mumukunde: Attending the 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum was a proud moment