Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, are a group of conditions that are not mainly caused by an acute infection, result in long-term consequences and often create a need for long-term treatment and care.  

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that NCDs, such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes, are collectively responsible for 74% of all deaths worldwide. Yet, due to a range of factors, such as poverty, a lack of access to medicine and limited medical infrastructure ,  these fatalities disproportionately effect those living in low- and middle income countries, with over three-quarters of NCD deaths occurring in these contexts.

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Many conditions can be managed with an appropriate and steady supply of medication, but a lack of access to essential medicine, is a significant barrier to managing NCDs. This may be due to the high cost of medications, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited availability of medicines, or disruption to services and supplies due to conflict or disaster.

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At IHP, NCDs are one of our signature programmes, as we recognise the important part medical donations can play in managing and improving health outcomes for people living with these diseases. Our aim is not just to draw attention to the threat of NCDs in low- and middle-income countries but, more importantly, to ensure treatment is accessible, affordable and available over the long-term, to change and save lives. 

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One NCD we are providing medication for is lung disease. Lung disease comes in many forms, including Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and lung cancer. Though it can be easy to take breathing for granted, for those with lung disease, every breath can be a struggle. “I have been asthmatic for 20 years,” Amal, a 63-year-old Syrian refugee living in Lebanon told us. “I am extremely dependent on my medication. Otherwise, the pain becomes unbearable.” Conditions like this are not uncommon. COPD, an inflammatory lung disease which leads to airflow from the lungs being blocked, is the third leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 3.2 million deaths in 2019.  

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Though lung disease and NCDs are a global issue, COPD and pneumonia in particular, are more prevalent and pose a more significant threat in lower-income countries. Vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people get sicker due to limited access to health services. In lower-resource settings, healthcare costs for NCDs quickly drain household resources due to the lengthy and expensive costs of treatments combined with the loss of income, forcing millions of people into poverty. IHP’s model of distributing medicine freely to patients ensures that this financial barrier to treatment is overcome.

The importance of providing medicines free of charge to vulnerable patients is clear in Lebanon, where we work alongside our partner, Anera. Lebanon’s economy has been in freefall since 2019 and as the country’s currency has depreciated, the price of already scarce medication for chronic conditions has increased. Through medical donations, we have sent more than 1,000 salbutamol (100mcg) inhalers to patients across 36 health facilities in the country. These inhalers are now being used by people suffering from severe asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis and bronchospasms. 

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One of these patients was Aahad, a 13-year-old, who, despite having had asthma for most of his life, has been unable to receive treatment due to his parent’s financial situation.       

When we met him at the Maraa Yanbou Al Ataa dispensary, Aahad was in the grip of a severe asthma attack. Our shipment of medicines meant that he could take away salbutamol inhalers for free.

Aahad is now able to enjoy a healthier and happier childhood, managing his condition with the right medication.

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Providing critical medicine like those that Aahad received, is only possible because of the help we continue to receive from our supporters and our dedicated partners.

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Lung disease is a debilitating and, in some cases, fatal condition. With help from supporters like you, we can help to reduce its impact, and ensure that patients have access to the treatments they need.  

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Please act today to provide critical assistance to those in need. 

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