Dr Ann Akiteng

I am a medical doctor, public health professional, trainer, mentor, and researcher focused on health system strengthening and integrated health service delivery for noncommunicable diseases (NCD). I am deputy director of UINCD (www.uincd.org), a research consortium in Uganda, addressing knowledge and implementation gaps in NCD research, capacity development, care and prevention. I’m member of the MoH NCD Technical Working Group and the National NCD Multisectoral Committee; engaged in policy formulation, guideline development, strategic planning, advocacy, and stakeholder coordination. I am the national Team Lead for the WHO-endorsed PEN-Plus model. Over 3years, PEN-Plus successfully initiated integrated model clinics and training centers for severe NCDs— sickle cell disease, rheumatic and congenital heart diseases, and type 1 diabetes— within two rural general hospitals; supporting essential diagnostics, medicines, data systems, and intensive training and mentorship to mid-level providers. PEN-Plus plans to integrate into national policies through a national operational strategy and support scale up.