62 Creating and sustaining an expert forum on noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries

Aims Noncommunicable diseases (NCD) cause 71% of all deaths worldwide. More than 85% of premature deaths (ages 30–69) occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).] LMICs are not on target to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Develop Goals (UN SDG) 3.4. The aims were to create a multi-stakeholder forum to review NCD burden in LMICs; consider pragmatic solutions; and lead the conversation to inform the broader agenda on NCDs. Methods As key health stakeholders, medical leaders in Upjohn invited others to form an Expert Forum on NCDs in LMICs. These experts in clinical practice in primary and specialty care; academic research; patient advocacy; community pharmacy; public and health policy; civil society; mobile health; and private industry were chosen because they worked in LMICs; published peer-reviewed papers; committed to act together on NCDs. After an accelerated development sequence through storming, forming and norming, we commenced reviewing the NCD burden and challenges to overcome it. Through facilitated workshops, the team articulated how different sectors could, together, generate concepts for systemic solutions. Results The 19-member team has published a paper in a peer-reviewed journal that reviews the NCD-burden in LMICs; captures the rich workshop dialogue; presents the evidence and posits pragmatic solutions to combat the burden. Team members have further led the conversation through abstracts at international conferences and opinion editorials in key media, and communicated them via social media. Conclusions Private and public health sectors can indeed work together to lead the conversation on change. More partnerships may catalyse regional responses to address NCDs. On downstream efforts we included patients; a rewarding experience that embraced ‘nothing for us without us’. Next time, we would engage with government stakeholders and multilateral organisations. No one can afford to be a bystander; but we cannot do it alone.