The University of Nairobi (UON) has launched the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), a research centre of excellence for non-communicable diseases.

ARUA is a network of universities from different African countries and internationally that include University of Witwatersrand, Makerere University, University of Glasgow, Leicester University, University of Ibadan and University of Ghana, among others.

Speaking during the launch, Acting Director General, Ministry of Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, said non-communicable diseases are on the rise globally which poses a population threat.

He said that in the aspiration of Universal Health Coverage, the ministry’s objective is to have everything in non-communicable diseases NCDs covered.

He noted that non-communicable diseases are not only a public health concern but also an economic concern.