Strengthening Health Systems
Overview
The Global Burden of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory disease, are by far the leading cause of death and disability in the world. NCDs account for 60% of all deaths globally, with the largest burden (80%) in developing countries, making them a key public health challenge and a major cause of poverty. The WHO projects that global deaths from NCDs will continue to increase in the next 10 years, causing a global economic output loss of $30 trillion by 2030.1
In developing countries, eight million people die prematurely (< age 60) each year from preventable causes.2 In some regions, the causes are the result of unhealthy lifestyles (poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use). In more impoverished areas, NCDs like rheumatic heart fever have long been common, often as the end consequences of untreated infectious diseases, particularly in settings where there is malnutrition. Many who die prematurely are in their most productive years, with families and economies depending on their income.
| Type of Grant: | Health |
|---|---|
| Who Can Apply: | Non-Governmental Organizations and public institutions |
| Locations Served: | Selected Low and Middle Income Countries; Brazil, Central/Eastern Europe, China, India, Russia, and Africa |
| What: | Expanding access to quality healthcare by strengthening health systems and integrating NCDs into primary care |
A United Nations High Level Meeting on NCDs
While prevention initiatives and lifesaving treatments are available for NCDs, they are often not widely used in most parts of the developing world. Global public health investment has been focused in recent years on infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. As a result, many countries have no national plan to address NCDs, their healthcare providers lack training, and their populations are not aware of the risk factors that cause NCDs.
In response to the growing evidence of the global burden of NCDs, the United Nations held a General Assembly Summit on NCDs in September 2011,3 with the participation of health experts and governments. The outcomes of this High Level Meeting represent an extraordinary opportunity to galvanize the international community to tackle the NCD epidemic.
Funding Priorities
The Medtronic Foundation will work with a few selected NCD centers and experts to address the prevention and management of NCDs. The Foundation will seek out programs that ensure the continuation and integration of training on NCDs over the long term. We will work on a global and national level in our priority countries.
Our three goals and grant areas:
- Increase Awareness and Prioritization of NCDs in National and Global Development Agendas
To prepare for the U.N. NCD Summit, Medtronic Foundation supports initiatives to increase global awareness and advocacy for NCDs, to produce evidence-based arguments to support NCD prioritization, and to develop a global plan for NCDs, sharing innovative solutions and best practice. - Strengthen Health Systems in Developing Countries by Integrating NCDs
Medtronic Foundation aims to expand access to quality healthcare in developing countries by integrating prevention and management of NCDs into health systems, particularly at the primary care level. We believe this integration will ensure better, more cost effective, and more sustainable health outcomes for patients. (These grants are for countries within priorities.)We support:
- Model education and training programs to help healthcare providers and policymakers integrate NCDs into the primary healthcare system
- Development of national plans to address prevention and management of NCDs
- Innovative technologies to bring integrated NCD healthcare and health education to those in rural and underserved areas. (2011-2012)
- Improve Global Understanding of Best Practices in Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes
The Foundation recognizes the need for coordinated efforts on national and international levels to collectively identify common approaches and best practices to address the challenges of NCDs.We support:
- Programs that improve global understanding of best practices in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes prevention and management in low and middle-income countries, through the development of centers of reference and excellence
- Open access, web-based tools and resources that are "Knowledge Centers" in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes
References:
- Source: World Health Organization (WHO) NCD Action Plan 2008-2013, p.5
- Source: WHO NCD Action Plan 2008-2013, p.5
- Source: WHO
GUIDELINES »
STRENGTHENING HEALTH SYSTEMS
Purpose
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease, are the leading cause of death and disability in the world. But while prevention initiatives and lifesaving treatments have been developed for NCDs, they are not widely available in many low- and middle-income countries. This program expands access to quality healthcare by strengthening health systems and integrating NCDs into primary care in developing countries.
Eligible Recipients
The Medtronic Foundation will work with a limited number of chronic disease centers and experts on a global level, and in our priority countries, to address the prevention and management of NCDs. Our emphasis will be on integrating NCDs into primary healthcare, and on improving global understanding of best practices in diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Grants are awarded for specific projects and programs. Grants for endowment, equipment, or for capital projects are not considered. Being preselected as a potential grantee does not guarantee that a grant will be awarded, as projects are evaluated on their individual merits.
Geographic Priorities
Strengthening health systems grants are currently available for the following regions or countries:
- Brazil
- Central and Eastern Europe (projects that work across the region)
- China
- India
- Russia
- Africa
Criteria for Grants
To achieve the greatest impact, we give priority to proposals that:
- Are focused on integrating NCDs into primary healthcare, and on improving global understanding of best practices in cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
- Strengthen health systems, by addressing the prevention and management of NCDs
- Are led by national and international experts in NCDs
- Involve health professionals in the project country in defining the problem and designing solutions
- Serve socioeconomically disadvantaged people and those most vulnerable
- Develop new models in NCD healthcare delivery that are replicable
- Scale up and disseminate existing models
- Create tools and resources that will be used in open access, web-based "Knowledge Centers"
- Include long-term partnerships and collaborations
- Are designed to ensure the continuation and integration of training on NCDs over the long term
- Work with the Ministry of Health or other key policymakers in a given country or region
- Create a Center of Excellence or Center of Reference in a specific disease area that could be used as a training facility for others in the region
- Focus on specific needs appropriate to that country's stage of development
- Have rigorous evaluation metrics and process improvement practices
Size and Terms of Grants
Grants typically range from $50,000 to $250,000, based on their scope and impact, although some may be larger. Grant awards at the higher end of the range are limited to organizations previously funded and organizations with the capacity to implement larger projects. Grants are for 12 months. Previous grantees may request multi-year funding. Funds based on multi-year commitments are released annually and are dependent on annual evaluations. Grantees should describe how a project will be supported after the term of the grant.
Excluded Activities
The Medtronic Foundation does not support individuals, religious groups for religious purposes, fundraising events or activities, social events or goodwill advertising, reimbursable medical treatment, scientific research, lobbying, or political or fraternal activities.
How to Apply
If you wish to apply for a grant, please take a moment to review the general guidelines that pertain to all Medtronic Foundation programs. If you qualify, please send a two- or three-page letter of inquiry. After reviewing the letter, a Foundation representative may recommend that you submit a full application.
Grant Deadlines
Apply
STRENGTHENING HEALTH SYSTEMS
Purpose
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease, are the leading cause of death and disability in the world. But while prevention initiatives and lifesaving treatments have been developed for NCDs, they are not widely available in many low- and middle-income countries. This program expands access to quality healthcare by strengthening health systems and integrating NCDs into primary care in developing countries.
Eligible Recipients
The Medtronic Foundation will work with a limited number of chronic disease centers and experts on a global level, and in our priority countries, to address the prevention and management of NCDs. Our emphasis will be on integrating NCDs into primary healthcare, and on improving global understanding of best practices in diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Grants are awarded for specific projects and programs. Grants for endowment, equipment, or for capital projects are not considered. Being preselected as a potential grantee does not guarantee that a grant will be awarded, as projects are evaluated on their individual merits.
Geographic Priorities
Strengthening health systems grants are currently available for the following regions or countries:
- Brazil
- Central and Eastern Europe (projects that work across the region)
- China
- India
- Russia
- Africa
Criteria for Grants
To achieve the greatest impact, we give priority to proposals that:
- Are focused on integrating NCDs into primary healthcare, and on improving global understanding of best practices in cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
- Strengthen health systems, by addressing the prevention and management of NCDs
- Are led by national and international experts in NCDs
- Involve health professionals in the project country in defining the problem and designing solutions
- Serve socioeconomically disadvantaged people and those most vulnerable
- Develop new models in NCD healthcare delivery that are replicable
- Scale up and disseminate existing models
- Create tools and resources that will be used in open access, web-based "Knowledge Centers"
- Include long-term partnerships and collaborations
- Are designed to ensure the continuation and integration of training on NCDs over the long term
- Work with the Ministry of Health or other key policymakers in a given country or region
- Create a Center of Excellence or Center of Reference in a specific disease area that could be used as a training facility for others in the region
- Focus on specific needs appropriate to that country's stage of development
- Have rigorous evaluation metrics and process improvement practices
Size and Terms of Grants
Grants typically range from $50,000 to $250,000, based on their scope and impact, although some may be larger. Grant awards at the higher end of the range are limited to organizations previously funded and organizations with the capacity to implement larger projects. Grants are for 12 months. Previous grantees may request multi-year funding. Funds based on multi-year commitments are released annually and are dependent on annual evaluations. Grantees should describe how a project will be supported after the term of the grant.
Excluded Activities
The Medtronic Foundation does not support individuals, religious groups for religious purposes, fundraising events or activities, social events or goodwill advertising, reimbursable medical treatment, scientific research, lobbying, or political or fraternal activities.
How to Apply
If you wish to apply for a grant, please take a moment to review the general guidelines that pertain to all Medtronic Foundation programs. If you qualify, please send a two- or three-page letter of inquiry. After reviewing the letter, a Foundation representative may recommend that you submit a full application.
Grant Deadlines
Apply