Blog - IRIS NEWS

Guillaume MuhozaFebruary 19, 2025

The Burundi NCD Alliance (BNCDA), established in 2014, is the principal civil society organization in Burundi dedicated to combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their associated risk factors. BNCDA’s work directly supports the 2030 Agenda, specifically Sustainable Development Goal 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third through prevention and treatment. Following the […]

Guillaume MuhozaFebruary 18, 2025

The journey to Kigali was more than just a trip for journalist Guillaume Muhoza. It was a pilgrimage to the epicenter of a global health crisis. Supported by the East Africa NCD Alliance and carrying the weight of recommendations from the Burundi NCD Alliance, Muhoza joined hundreds of experts and advocates at the Kigali Conference […]

Guillaume MuhozaFebruary 18, 2025

The 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum in Kigali shone a spotlight on a health crisis often hidden in plain sight: the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa While discussions frequently revolve around the “big four” – cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases – the forum highlighted a critical point: the African […]

Guillaume MuhozaFebruary 18, 2025

The air in Kigali crackled with urgency. Hundreds of health experts, advocates, and government representatives from across the globe had gathered at the Kigali Convention Centre for the 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum, but the mood was far from celebratory. “215 million people lost their lives due to NCDs in these last five years. 215 […]

Guillaume MuhozaFebruary 18, 2025

The 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum in Kigali echoed with powerful voices demanding action on the growing crisis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Here are some of the most compelling quotes from the forum, highlighting the urgency and complexity of the challenge: “215 million people lost their lives due to NCDs in these last five years. […]

Guillaume MuhozaFebruary 18, 2025

The energy in the Kigali Convention Centre was palpable. While seasoned experts debated policy at the 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum, a different kind of energy pulsed through the halls: the energy of youth. Young people, often relegated to the sidelines of global health discussions, took center stage, demanding a seat at the table and […]

Guillaume MuhozaFebruary 18, 2025

The 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum in Kigali wasn’t just about discussing disease; it was about confronting a shifting global landscape. The Trump administration’s recent freeze on development aid, and the subsequent withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), cast a long shadow over the proceedings. The question on everyone’s mind: how would this seismic […]

Guillaume MuhozaFebruary 18, 2025

The Kigali Convention Centre buzzed with the language of global health: targets, funding, strategies. But amidst the discussions at the 4th Global NCD Alliance Forum, Prisca Githuka’s voice, soft yet resolute, cut through the noise. She didn’t speak of statistics; she spoke of survival, of loss, and of a fight that extended far beyond her […]

Iris NewsJanuary 12, 2025

Alicia Nukuri is a 25-year-old model and student from Burundi, currently dazzling on the stage of Top Model Lesotho 2025. Born in Bujumbura, Alicia’s journey has been nothing short of global. She left Burundi at the age of 11 and has since lived in various countries, including Burkina Faso and Moldova, immersing herself in different […]

Guillaume MuhozaJanuary 4, 2025

Burundi’s youth are learning English, and they’re having a blast doing it. It’s not just about grammar and vocabulary; it’s about a community : the Interact Academy, it’s about growth, and… a whole podcast: The Setback. A platform for empowerment, connection, and some seriously interesting conversations. Meet Siyondavyi Alex, the founder of The Set. We […]