Health experts, policymakers, and researchers from across the world have converged on Accra for a major engagement under the Collaborative Care for Cardiometabolic Disease (CREATE) programme, aimed at addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa.
The four-day event, which runs from 27 to 30 April 2026, is also marking the introduction of a new review series by The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, with discussions centred on bridging the gap between scientific research and real-world health policy implementation.
Speaking at the opening session, the Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Yakubu Seidu Adam, described the meeting as a significant moment for global collaboration and action against cardiometabolic diseases.
“These conditions are increasingly prevalent and remain a major public health concern in Ghana and across sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.
He stressed the need for increased investment from both public and private stakeholders to tackle preventable deaths, particularly among younger people.
Also addressing participants, Prof Henrietta O’Connor of the University of Leicester highlighted the importance of international partnerships in strengthening healthcare systems. She pointed to the CREATE programme as an example of a successful model that has supported the training of researchers, clinicians, and community health workers in countries including Ghana, Kenya, and Mozambique.
She also announced the launch of the Diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa review series in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, describing it as a key resource for shaping policy and interventions.
“We want to shift thinking from a single project to a sustainable model for equitable global health partnerships,” she noted.
From a national standpoint, Prof Alfred Edwin Yawson of the University of Ghana emphasised the urgency of addressing NCDs, noting that six out of the top ten causes of death in Ghana are linked to such conditions.
He praised the CREATE approach for enabling patients to take a more active role in managing their health beyond hospital settings. He also referenced ongoing government efforts, including the Free Primary Healthcare programme, as vital to strengthening NCD care delivery.
The meeting further spotlighted support from the World Health Organisation in enhancing NCD services at the primary healthcare level, improving disease surveillance, and deploying digital solutions such as a national NCD tracker and diabetes registry.
Discussions are expected to produce actionable strategies to reduce the impact of cardiometabolic diseases across the region.
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