Burundi Non-Communicable Disease Alliance (BNCDA)

BNCDA was founded by Burundi Asthma society (BAS)’s CEO, Pr. François Ndikumwenayo. Pr. Francois’s vision was to convene a national NCD civil society movement to confront the misconceptions about NCDs and catalyse political action. In May 2015, Pr. Francois invited the head of Burundi cancer society (BCS), Burundi Epilepsy society (BES), Burundi diabetes society (BDS), and Burundi Renal Society (BRS) to campaign together as an alliance. Pr. François led the NCD alliance as its first steering committee chair from August 2015, and together with the leadership of BCS, BES, BDS, and BRS set the BNCDA’s strategic direction, raised funds, and led successful recruitment drive for additional BNCDA member association. The alliance grew rapidly into a respected national civil society movement with eleven association and five branches in five provinces. BNCDA’s activities focused on NCD prevention and control, advocacy, capacity building, and research.