28 June 2026
Australian researchers from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute are leading a program in South Africa and Uganda to address the growing epidemic of cardiovascular disease and diabetes across sub-Saharan Africa.
Our Non-Communicable Diseases and Implementation Science team has received a $1.7 million grant through the 2025 National Health and Medical Research Council and Global Alliance for Chronic Disease funding. The STRIDES project, led by Dr Tilahun Haregu from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, along with the University of Cape Town, and MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit, will strengthen primary healthcare teams in South Africa and Uganda to deliver integrated, people-centred care for chronic diseases.
Our research in Uganda and Tanzania, published in The Lancet, has demonstrated that integrated chronic care for HIV, diabetes and hypertension is both effective and cost-saving. In South Africa, research has shown that strengthening the collaboration between community and facility-based primary care services can improve non-communicable disease outcomes.
Dr Josephine Birungi from MRC/UVRI Uganda research Unit says, “The evidence from this study indicates that strengthening integrated care pathways offers an opportunity to transform primary care systems from disease-specific care to a holistic, patient-centred approach, optimising strained health care resources and disease control.”
By training local health teams, integrating peer leaders, using digital tools, and involving communities, we will be working to make care more effective, affordable and easier to access. We will also test how the model can be expanded to help more people across Africa and other low and middle income countries.
Dr Haregu says, “We will evaluate the program through a study that looks at both how well the program can be put into practice, and health outcomes. Importantly, people living with chronic conditions, community health workers, and primary healthcare teams will be actively involved in shaping and evaluating the program.”
Associate Professor Delobelle, chief research officer at UCT's Chronic Diseases Initiative for Africa, says: “Chronic non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, are rising rapidly in sub Saharan Africa alongside an already existing high HIV prevalence.
“Strengthening integrated care pathways for patients living with these conditions will improve treatment adherence and retention in care.”
