1. WHO Africa
  2. Media Centre
  3. Events

2nd International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA 2025)

The 2nd International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA 2025)

Advancing Implementation of PEN-Plus for Severe NCDs in Africa:
Technical Innovations, Operational Insights, and Scalable Solutions

July 8–10, 2025   |   Abuja, Nigeria

Join via Zoom

#BEATNCDS

Partners

The ICPPA provides a pivotal platform to explore collaborative opportunities to align the PEN-Plus initiative with other existing public health programmes in the region. Participants will include high-level policymakers, global and regional experts, donors, development partners, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) focal points from Ministries of Health across the African region.

PEN-Plus explained

This video illustrates how PEN-Plus empowers local health workers through specialized training, provides essential resources, and delivers patient-centered care bringing crucial NCD services closer to homes for people living in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. It calls for sustain efforts toward comprehensive action on NCDs.

​​
​​​​​​​ICPPA 2024 Tracks

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠





























































 ​​​​ICPPA 2025 Tracks


Track 1

Country Progress Updates, Operational Insights, and Lessons Learned on PEN-Plus Implementation 













Track 2

Monitoring and evaluation frameworks for PEN-Plus













Track 3

Technical Guidance, Training, and Capacity Building in PEN-Plus













Track 4

Patient-centered care and patient navigation systems 













Track 5

Scaling PEN-Plus: Financing and Sustainability













Track 6

Preparation for the Global High-Level Meeting on NCDs













Track 7

Networking and partnership building 














About the ICPPA 2025

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠






ICPPA Virtual Participation


In person participation in the 2nd ICPPA is by invitation only.  However, we are pleased to provide an online link to those who wish to engage virtually with the conference from July 8 to July 10, 2025.

Link to online participation: 

Privacy Policy of WHO for ICPPA

Commitment to Privacy: As the World Health Organization (WHO), we are deeply committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. Understanding the importance of your data, we take significant measures to safeguard it while facilitating your participation in this event.

Purpose of Data Collection: Your personal data is collected with the aim to:

  • Ensure a smooth and personalized experience at the event.
  • Communicate essential and relevant information about the event.
  • Continuously enhance the quality of our future events and services based on participant feedback and interactions.

Non-Disclosure of Data: We adhere to a strict policy of not sharing your personal data with any external entities. Your information is for internal use only, pertaining directly to the event and its related activities.



Register

Call for abstracts

Overview

The maiden annual International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA) on chronic and severe non-communicable diseases provides a unique opportunity for public health leaders and scientists in Africa and beyond to reflect on latest research on non-communicable disease prevention and management, and to share lessons learnt on integrated health systems, forging the way forward to create robust health systems able to provide vital care for severe NCDs in Africa.

The WHO African Regional office in collaboration with the Helmsley Charitable Trust (HCT) and their partners invites researchers to showcase their work in line with  progress made on non-communicable diseases in Africa and beyond.   


  • Call for Abstracts: February 02, 2024
  • Deadline for Abstract Submission: February 29th, 2024
  • Notification of Abstract Acceptance: March 08th, 2024
  • Authors Registration Deadline: March 22nd, 2024

Abstract submission guidelines

Topics: Abstracts will be accepted for the following conference tracks:

  • Track 1: Ending the Neglect of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) across the life course in Africa
  • Track 2: Policy Frameworks and Strategies for Integrating NCD Interventions in Primary Health Care (PHC): from WHO PEN to PEN-Plus
  • Track 3: PEN-Plus Unveiled: Pioneering Regional Strategies, Opportunities, and Frontiers
  • Track 4: Engage, Empower, Excel: Community-Centric and Person-Centered NCD Care for All

Eligibility of Abstracts and Authors

Only abstracts with original work within the above tracks will be accepted for the conference. The abstract should not have been previously published or presented elsewhere. The primary author must have participated in the activities showcased in the abstract and obtained the necessary government approvals where sensitive data is used in the paper, as well as any necessary ethical clearance documents.

While a person may submit more than one abstract, only one abstract per person (primary author) will be accepted. Research should have been conducted within the last 5 years including landmark studies and must be relevant to the current African landscape.

Conflict of Interest: Authors of accepted abstracts will have to submit a disclosure of conflict-of-interest form that will be shared with the acceptance letter

Authors and Affiliations

Word count: The abstract should not exceed 350 words (which includes sub-headings but does not include the title, key words, list of authors and their addresses). Authors:

Authors should be listed as follows:

  • First author: Provide first name, initials of the middle name (if any), and the last name (e.g., John M. Kamara).
  • Co-authors: List each co-author in order of contribution by typing their first and middle names as initials, followed by their last name in full (e.g., J.K. Thompson, A.H. Karikari).
  • Provide the organizational affiliations of the first author and all co-authors
  • Indicate the corresponding author with an Asterix* and provide their email address and telephone number plus their alternate contacts.

Abstract Structure

Title: The title should be informative but concise with no subtitles or abbreviations/ acronyms. Write the title in sentence case and only capitalize proper nouns and scientific names where appropriate (e.g., Escherichia coli).

Introduction/Background: Address the scientific background and include the rationale for the study, as well as the public health significance of the subject. Explain why your study is important and what question(s) it will answer. A clearly stated background sets the stage and should include:

  • A brief description of the topic and its public health significance
  • Study objectives
  • Research questions or study hypothesis if applicable

Methods

Describe the methods used for the study. Essential points to be included are:

  • Study design
  • Study setting
  • Study population
  • Sample size and sampling methods
  • Eligibility criteria and case definitions, if any
  • Data collection, management and analysis

Results

Present the significant findings (both positive and negative) of the study that are directly related to the study objectives. This section should not include discussion of the results. Provide both absolute numbers and their percentages/proportions, rates and ratios where applicable. Please note that since an abstract is a stand-alone and citable document, the results section should contain data. It should not include such statements as “Data will be discussed.” If considerable work is still pending before the conference submission, please indicate that the results are preliminary.

Conclusion

Be as concise as possible. Do not re-state data that is already included in the results. This section may include:

  • An interpretation of key findings and their implications for public health practice
  • Public health actions that are recommended and/or have been implemented as a consequence of the study

Note: Changes cannot be made to the final abstract after it has been submitted. However, in the event that your abstract is selected for presentation and has undergone significant changes after acceptance, those changes should be highlighted in the abstract presentation or poster.

Key words

Please include 4-6 key words. Use terms listed in the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) from the Index Medicus

Decisions and Next Steps: Accepted abstracts will be published in the conference book of abstracts. All selected abstract applicants for either oral or poster presentations are expected to attend the conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

For more information email the ICPPA2024abstracts@who.int

    Registration travel & scholarships

    There is a limited number of scholarships available to cover travel and accommodation expenses. The scholarship will be awarded to individuals based on quality of abstracts submitted.

    Decisions about scholarships would be made by the end of February 2024 prior to the Conference. Abstract authors whose abstracts are selected to receive a scholarship will be notified in March 2024 via email. If your abstract is selected, you will have 2 days to confirm your participation in case you are not granted the award of scholarship.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When will I get response for the abstract I have submitted?

    Applicants will be notified of their abstract acceptance by 08 March 2024 and must confirm participation within a week of notification.

    Can I make edits to my abstract submission?

    No, you cannot make edits to an abstract once it has been submitted. However, in the event that your work has undergone significant changes after acceptance, those changes should be included and highlighted in the abstract presentation.

    Can I still submit an abstract after the deadline?

    No, abstracts will not be accepted past the official due date. However, we encourage you to submit your abstract for consideration next year.

    Do abstract presented need to attend and present in-person at the conference?

    Yes, abstract presenters are expected to attend the conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in person, if selected to give an oral or poster presentation.

    Who can I contact for questions concerning my abstract submission?

    For other inquiries or questions about your specific submission, please reach out to ICPPA2024abstracts@who.int, and include your submission ID, and the name and email of the one who submitted the abstract.


    Media

    ICPPA is keen on engaging members of the press and encourages their involvement. If you wish to arrange for interviews ahead of ICPPA 2025 or have any other media inquiries, please contact the WHO Regional Office for Africa.

    ICPPA Communications
    Email: ICPPA@who.int​​​​​​​

    23 April 2024