Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf has committed up to £2.5 million over the next five years to the Health4Life Fund to support global action and progress on the prevention of non-communicable diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and cancers.

The fund is coordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and  United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The investment will be used to help drive Global South-led action to support countries to build stronger health systems by tackling non-communicable diseases, which continues to be a leading cause of death and disability globally.

Yousaf said: “This is a significant step which cements Scotland’s role as a global champion in tackling non-communicable diseases, and highlights the important contribution we can make when it comes to tackling health emergencies across the world.

“I am very proud to be able to announce our plans to become the first high-income country to contribute to the World Health Organisation’s Health4Life Fund. This investment will allow us to support the development of new programmes to improve healthcare and build stronger health systems in Malawi, Zambia, and Rwanda.

“The WHO predicts that by 2030 non-communicable diseases – such as heart attacks, strokes and cancers - will be the primary cause of death across sub-Saharan Africa, with around 3.8 million premature deaths.

“Scotland has longstanding expertise in delivering action to tackle non-communicable disease domestically, which is why are well placed to share learning beyond our borders and with partners like the WHO.

“The funding that I am confirming today makes Scotland the first high-income country to support the vital Health4Llife fund - but I very much hope that we will not be the last.”

Image by Gerd Altman, from Pixabay