Photo Gallery: Network Gatherings in Tanzania

The convergence of so many NCDI Poverty Network members in Dar es Salaam for the first International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa provided opportunities to join hearts and minds in other gatherings. Pictured here are the Network’s Steering Committee members assembled in person for the first time.

The first International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA 2024), which took place April 23–25 in Dar es Salaam, brought together PEN-Plus enthusiasts from 52 countries. The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa sponsored the landmark event in collaboration with The Helmsley Charitable Trust, the NCDI Poverty Network, and the Government of Tanzania.

In addition to participating in the conference itself, NCDI Poverty Network members took several occasions to gather, reflect, and renew their commitment to ensuring that lifesaving treatment reaches those who need it most. Those gatherings—a visit to Tanzania’s inaugural PEN-Plus clinic, the first in-person meeting of the Network’s Steering Committee, a technical session for PEN-Plus implementing partners, and the Network’s first Advocacy Summit—are captured below.

Visit to Tanzania’s Inaugural PEN-Plus Clinic

The National Institute for Medical Research hosted a visit from two dozen members of the Network’s High-Level Advisory Group. Members joined with Network leaders in touring the facility in Kondoa and meeting with patients living with severe noncommunicable diseases to understand better how PEN-Plus can transform lives.

Visit to Tanzania’s Inaugural PEN-Plus Clinic

First In-Person Meeting of the Steering Committee

The NCDI Poverty Network launched during the height of the pandemic in 2020, and its Steering Committee members are spread across ten countries. The Steering Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam represented the first time that members could transcend Zoom screens to share their insights in person. Steering Committee members are, front row from left: Dr. Aimée Lulebo, Eunice Owino, Dr. Ana Mocumbi, Dr. Mary Amuyunzu-Nyamongo, and Dr. Julie Makani. Back row, from left, are Dr. Neil Gupta, Dr. Biraj Karmacharya, Dr. Gene Bukhman, Dr. Yogesh Jain, Dr. Jones Masiye, and [Dr. Santigie Sesay].

First In-Person Meeting of the Steering Committee

Members of the Steering Committee were joined by members of the Co-Secretariat.

Technical Session for PEN-Plus Implementing Partners

In Dar es Salaam, the National Institute for Medical Research hosted implementing partners representing 14 PEN-Plus countries for a meeting focused on practical issues ranging from patient retention to national training plans.

Technical Session for PEN-Plus Implementing Partners

Dr. Julie Makani, third from left in the back row, facilitated the breakout session for sickle cell disease.

Advocacy Summit

Held at the National Institute for Medical Research headquarters, the Network’s first Advocacy Summit brought together Voices for PEN-Plus advocates, local advocates living with severe noncommunicable diseases, PEN-Plus Partnership representatives, and Network leaders to brainstorm ideas for increasing the scope and effectiveness of collective advocacy initiatives.

Advocacy Summit

After attending the technical session for implementing partners, Neil Gupta (back row, center), policy director of the Network, joined participants in the Network’s first Advocacy Summit, from left: Neema Mohamed, Moses Echodu, Edith Mukantwari, Wendy Bennett, Ruth Ngwaro, Emmanuella Selasi, Eunice Owino, George Kwayu, Arafa Said, Apoorva Gomber, Tinotenda Dzikiti, Lucy Johnbosco, and Emmanuel Kisembo.

Network Co-Chairs

Gene Bukhman and Ana Mocumbi, co-chairs of the NCDI Poverty Network, enjoy a moment together on the ICPPA 2024 stage.

Network Co-Chairs

Gene Bukhman and Ana Mocumbi, co-chairs of the NCDI Poverty Network, pause in front of the Network’s table display.