Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to improve the availability of genetic testing for heart disease in developing countries.

As part of DFID’s commitment to achieving Global Goal 3 – ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all – we support developing countries to strengthen their health systems.

The World Health Organisation estimates that Non Communicable Diseases, including cardiovascular disease, will result in cumulative economic losses of US$7 trillion over the next 15 years in low- and middle-income countries.

The UK provides specific support to tackling deaths from heart disease, including through our Health Partnerships Scheme helping to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in Ethiopia. DFID does not provide any direct support for provision of genetic testing for heart disease in developing countries.