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Governments worldwide are under growing pressure to allocate more domestic funds to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for nearly three-quarters of global deaths annually. At the recent NCD Alliance Forum in Kigali, experts and advocates discussed ways to bolster funding amid donor disinterest and rising treatment costs. One key solution is increasing excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks. Research shows that raising these taxes by 50% could save 50 million lives over five decades while generating $3.5 trillion in five years for NCD care. However, industry lobbying has slowed adoption.

Pooled procurement strategies and incentives for private sector investment are also being explored. Some organisations are working to lower medicine costs by creating demand in underserved markets, while MedAccess is reducing supply chain risks through financial guarantees. With the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs, advocates urge governments to commit to sustainable financing mechanisms. Strong leadership and governance are essential to ensuring equitable access to treatment and improving global health outcomes.