GIZ’s approach to Non-Communicable Diseases: A portfolio analysis

Commissioned by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, m4h examined how noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are addressed in partner countries, aiming to strengthen NCD prevention and treatment strategies.

The challenge

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, and cardiovascular diseases are responsible for the majority of deaths worldwide, with 17 million people under the age of 70 succumbing to these conditions annually. The burden of NCDs is particularly severe in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where changing lifestyles and limited resources hinder effective prevention and treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges by disrupting care and increasing the impact of comorbidities. Despite the urgency, NCD interventions remain sporadic, with limited integration into broader health strategies.

The assignment

GIZ commissioned m4h to achieve the following:

• Mapping and analysis: Conduct a comprehensive mapping of current NCD interventions and strategies employed by GIZ, including partnerships with national and international organisations.
• Integration of NCDs into national health programmes: Analyse the extent to which NCDs are incorporated into national health programmes and policies in LMICs, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Strategic recommendations: Develop recommendations for better anchoring NCDs within GIZ’s healthcare portfolio, as well as across other sectors and in multisectoral strategies.

The results

With m4h support, the following results were achieved:

1. 61 GIZ projects were surveyed.
2. Representatives of selected projects were interviewed.
3. All findings were included in a comprehensive report and in an executive summary.
4. The findings were presented in a well-attended webinar.