The impact of NCDs have been recognised worldwide and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) aims to reduce premature deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030 (SDG target 3.4). Therefore, it is imperative that considerable focus is given on arresting NCDs particularly in the vulnerable population of our country. Keeping this in view a coalition of CSOs have been active since 2016 named Healthy India Alliance of which CFI is a founding member. The alliance aims to catalyse multi-sectoral action to enhance health and quality of life in India.

We are presently poised at a point when the UN High-level meeting on NCDs is going to be held on September 27, 2018 in New York where the global community will come together to plan the next steps for action. Indian health community is also brainstorming to develop a common advocacy agenda on the issues that need immediate attention.

On September 7, 2018 the 2 nd Regional Consultation on NCDs was held in Kolkata to engage People Living with NCDs in Eastern India so that they can make a meaningful contribution in NCD control in close consultation with Government officials, clinicians, public health experts and civil society organisations. This meeting was attended by 30 participants who interacted over the day to develop a common advocacy agenda for policy change in NCD control.