Redefining Leadership in the Age of NCDs: A Transformative Dialogue

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) set the tone at the NCA Alliance Forum, where under the resonant theme “Leadership for 2025 and Beyond,” something deeper than discussion unfolded — a redefinition of leadership in the face of growing health complexities.

A Powerful Conversation on Purpose-Driven Leadership

In a world grappling with the heavy toll of NCDs, the conversation between two seasoned advocates — Ulrika Årehed Kågström, Secretary General of the Swedish Cancer Society and President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and Dr. Saunthari Somasundaram, President and Medical Director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia — became a moment of clarity, courage, and call-to-action.

Photo:- Ulrika Årehed Kågström and Dr. Saunthari Somasundaram

Their exchange wasn’t just about policy or programs. It was about purpose.

“Leadership today is more complex than ever,” Ulrika reflected. “It’s no longer sequential. Everything is on the table at once.”

The Call for Visionary Conveners

In her voice, there was urgency — but also wisdom. The kind of wisdom born from years of navigating healthcare landscapes that are increasingly fragmented and unpredictable. She spoke of the need for leadership that is not just reactive, but rooted in vision — holistic, inclusive, and clear-eyed about where we’re headed.

To lead in this era, she said, is to convene. To bring governments, civil society, private sector players — even unlikely allies — to one table, bound by a shared mission and measurable goals. Because cancer control, in her words, “can no longer exist in a silo.” It must be woven into a broader NCD strategy that sees people, not just pathologies.

Sean nodded in agreement, his words grounding the conversation in a deep truth: the nature of leadership itself has changed.

“It’s no longer just about leading the way — it’s about walking the path with others,” he said. “We need to spark passion that’s sustainable, because addressing NCDs isn’t a sprint. It’s a lifelong journey.”

And in those words, the mood shifted — from strategic to soulful.

Together, they painted a picture of a new kind of leadership — not top-down, but shoulder-to-shoulder. Not about commanding, but about catalyzing. It’s about making health a collective responsibility and framing it not just as a moral or medical issue, but as the bedrock of economic resilience.

The narrative must change.

Health is not just a cost. It’s an investment.

That message matters — especially in fragile and underfunded systems where resources are thin, but the stakes are high.

Bridging the Gap: Civil Society and Government Collaboration

Ulrika and Sean also didn’t shy away from naming the elephant in the room — the historical tension between governments and civil society. Watchdog, yes — but that’s not enough anymore. Civil society must now become a co-navigator, helping shape the route, not just critique the road.

“We need to guide our governments, not just critique them,” Ulrika said. “By helping set targets and providing a roadmap, we can co-create a future where everyone contributes to the same vision.”

What does that vision look like? Concrete national targets — bold but realistic. Metrics that inspire across sectors and outlast political cycles. Goals like reducing preventable cancers or lifting survival rates by 2040 — not as slogans, but as shared ambitions.

And most importantly? A renewed commitment to people. Not patients. People.

To move beyond disease-specific silos and build person-centered, resilient primary healthcare systems. To understand that treating the individual, not just the illness, is how we truly transform outcomes.

“It’s not hard to expand cancer interventions to include other areas,” Saunthari said with conviction. “It just takes a proactive mindset.”

The Call to Action: Lead Together

So what’s the takeaway?

• Set bold, measurable targets.

• Support governments while holding them accountable.

• Focus on action — not just promises at high-level meetings.

• Create inclusive, economic narratives around health.

• Always, always center the person — not just the disease.

The Dialogue That Dared to Ask the Right Questions

As the forum drew to a close, the dialogue between Ulrika and Sean lingered. Not because it provided all the answers, but because it dared to ask the right questions.

What does leadership look like when the world needs us most?

Their response was clear.

“This is a journey,” they said in unison. “And we must all be part of forging the way ahead.”

This blog draws on insights from the Leadership Dialogues series by the NCD Alliance, featuring Ulrika Årehed Kågström and Dr. Saunthari Somasundaram. The episode was shared by UICC via their official LinkedIn page.

For more insights on cancer and global health, check out content from OncoDaily.

by :- Md Foorquan Hashmi, MD, Sr. Editor, OncoDaily: India Bueura