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In a significant move to address non-communicable diseases, the Ministry of Health Uganda, AstraZeneca, and the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau launched a partnership under the Healthy Heart Africa program.

Ministry of Health Uganda, AstraZeneca, and the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB) launching a collaborative partnership under the Healthy Heart Africa (HHA) program at Hotel Protea Kampala

In a groundbreaking move to tackle the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the Ministry of Health Uganda, AstraZeneca, and the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB) launched a collaborative partnership under the Healthy Heart Africa (HHA) program.

Recognizing the interconnected nature of cardiovascular and kidney diseases, as well as the growing impact of climate change on health, HHA is broadening its scope to provide comprehensive solutions. This includes enhancing access to prevention and screening for CKD, particularly among at-risk populations such as those with hypertension and type-2 diabetes.

Speaking during the unveiling event on 28^th June 2024 at Hotel Protea Kampala Deepak Arora, Country President of African Cluster at AstraZeneca, said: “Today marks a significant milestone in our commitment to enhance healthcare outcomes across Africa. As the burden of chronic kidney disease continues to rise in sub-Saharan Africa, AstraZeneca remains committed to expanding the mission of Healthy Heart Africa to address this pressing health challenge. Our efforts in Uganda signify a pivotal step towards improving healthcare outcomes and combating the devastating impact of non-communicable diseases in the region.”

He added; “Through this initiative, we aim to challenge conventional perspectives and advocate for healthcare policy reforms to elevate outcomes for all individuals affected by Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), regardless of their demographic, geographic, or socio-economic circumstances.”

The global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continues to increase. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Disease Outlook Report 2023, 35 per cent of total deaths in Uganda are due to NCDs. The country’s community prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) varies between 2 per cent to 7 per cent, with a significantly higher occurrence of up to 15 per cent among individuals living with HIV or hypertension.

Deepak Arora, the Africa Cluster Country President at AstraZeneca

The incidence of kidney disease currently ranks among the top 10 causes of mortality. Among patients admitted with CKD, the case fatality rate stands at 21 per cent, rising to 51 per cent among those with end-stage kidney disease, or End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD).

Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Hon. Minister for Health welcomed the collaboration and alluded that the expansion of the Healthy Heart Africa Programme to address chronic kidney disease in Uganda is timely and represents a significant advancement in our nation’s healthcare landscape.

Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Hon. Minister for Health of Uganda addressing the guests

“Through strategic collaboration with AstraZeneca and the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB), we are steadfast in our commitment to improving access to high-quality healthcare services and fostering improved health outcomes for all Ugandans. Supported by concerted governmental efforts, we will redouble our endeavors to educate communities about hypertension symptoms and risk factors, underscoring the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles.”

Dr Tonny Tumwesigye Executive Director, Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau also asserted that the integration of chronic kidney disease (CKD) protocol into Uganda’s healthcare framework marks a critical advancement.

“Given the considerable burden of kidney disease in Uganda and its associated traditional risk factors, a united effort is necessary. With AstraZeneca’s scientific expertise and the Government’s instrumental role in policy integration, UPMB is eager to contribute institutional and technical capacity building. We aim to ensure the seamless implementation of this initiative, ultimately benefiting the health of Ugandans.”

Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney diseases, are major contributors to disability, catastrophic health expenses, and mortality in Uganda. High blood pressure, a leading risk factor for these conditions, affects 2-7 per cent of individuals in community settings and up to 15 per cent of those with HIV and hypertension. However, both hypertension and chronic kidney disease are preventable through early detection and health promotion.

The National Multisectoral Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs in Uganda emphasizes the importance of health promotion, early detection, and health system strengthening. The government is dedicated to these objectives and is further committed to the National Health Insurance policy to manage the prevalence of hypertension.

Launched in 2014, Healthy Heart Africa was established to address Africa’s increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases. In 2024, the programme expanded to target a broader range of NCDs, including CKD. The programme aims to improve health outcomes, focusing on increasing awareness of the symptoms and risks of hypertension and CKD; providing health education and access to early screening and treatment; and delivering training to healthcare providers. This supports health system resilience by relieving the social and economic burden arising from late-stage treatment and care of cardiovascular and related diseases.

Since its inception, the programme has conducted almost 57 million blood pressure screenings and trained more than 11,590 healthcare professionals across nine African nations. With 1,520 dedicated healthcare facilities, Healthy Heart Africa has identified over 11 million individuals with elevated blood pressure, marking significant progress in addressing cardiovascular health in the region.