August 28, 2026
Action for Mothers and Children (AMC) will take part in the 2026 Global Week for Action on NCDs, from August 31 to September 4, joining the global call for stronger action to prevent and address noncommunicable diseases.
Noncommunicable diseases are long-term health conditions that are not passed from person to person. They include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases, among others, and represent one of the biggest public health challenges in Kosovo and worldwide.
According to the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo (NIPHK), hypertension and diabetes are among the most commonly reported NCD diagnoses in Kosovo, while chronic respiratory diseases and cancers also contribute significantly to the country’s NCD burden. In 2024, 43,539 cases of NCDs were reported in Kosovo, compared with 41,258 cases in 2023, an increase of 5.5%.
For AMC, action on NCDs is an important part of advancing its broader mission to improve the health and well-being of families across Kosovo. Reducing the burden of NCDs requires stronger prevention, earlier detection, access to quality healthcare and greater involvement of patients in decisions that affect their health.
Throughout the Global Week for Action on NCDs, AMC will organize a series of activities aimed at raising awareness, strengthening patient voices and encouraging greater action on NCDs.
A key activity will be a roundtable on noncommunicable diseases on September 2, bringing together non-governmental organizations and patients engaged in NCD advocacy in Kosovo. The discussion will focus on strengthening the collective voice of patients and increasing their engagement in advocacy and decision-making.
AMC will also run a social media awareness series highlighting the burden of NCDs, the importance of prevention and early detection and the need for greater investment in healthcare and patient-centered policies.
“Improving the health of families in Kosovo also means addressing the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases,” said Rina Demiri Spahija, Executive Director of Action for Mothers and Children. “Through this campaign, we want to help raise awareness, encourage action and create more space for patients and advocates to be part of the conversation about how NCDs are addressed in Kosovo.”
The Global Week for Action on NCDs provides an opportunity to call for stronger prevention, better access to care and greater investment in health systems, while ensuring that the experiences and needs of people living with NCDs are reflected in policy and decision-making.
AMC’s activities are carried out within the framework of the “Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Patient Engagement Accelerator” initiative, supported by the Integrated Health Services (IHS) project.
