The National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Common NCDs - 2017-22 (NMAP) of India supports a whole-of-government (all ministries/ departments of central and state governments) and whole-of-society (community, civil society organisations (CSOs), private sector) approach to NCD prevention and control. The NMAP is up for renewal in end-2023(TBC), giving an opportunity to include specific strategies for meaningful involvement of People Living with NCDs as well as civil society organisations (CSOs). Healthy India Alliance (HIA) which prioritises and works on NCD prevention and control in India is currently focusing on augmenting the multi-stakeholder engagement to promote a people-centred and sustainably financed response to NCDs in India.

Strategic Institute for Public Health Education and Research (SIPHER) (HIA member) and HIA constituted a state-level multi-stakeholder Working Group on Non-Communicable Diseases and Universal Health Coverage comprising of People Living with NCDs, government representatives, medical professionals, academic institutions, civil society organisations, and youth representatives in Punjab. SIPHER along with HIA led development of “Guidelines for meaningful involvement of People living with NCDs and CSOs” with inputs from the above-mentioned working group members. The first virtual meeting of the multi-stakeholder working group on NCDs and UHC in Punjab was conducted on 17th August 2022. Various eminent professionals from Punjab Government, academia, medical fraternity, People living with NCDs, academic institutions and youth representatives actively participated in meeting and discussed on robust strategies towards NCD risk mitigation and prevention, and the need of capacity building required to meaningfully involve people living with NCDs. HIA and SIPHER will present these guidelines to representatives of the Punjab Health Ministry.