Uganda strengthens fight against non-communicable diseases

AstraZeneca, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Uganda and the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB), has unveiled an extension of the Healthy Heart Africa (HHA) programme to tackle the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) as well as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in Uganda. 

According to Deepak Arora, the country president of the African Cluster at AstraZeneca, they are dedicated to confronting the burden of non-communicable diseases and improving health outcomes for people throughout Africa. 

“Recognising the interconnected nature of cardiovascular and kidney diseases, as well as the growing impact of climate change on health, we are broadening our 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,” he said. 

Speaking during the launch of Healthy Heart Africa-Uganda at the Protea Hotel in Kampala, Arora said the launch is a significant milestone in enhancing healthcare outcomes across Africa, adding that the burden of chronic kidney disease continues to rise in sub-Saharan Africa, but they are committed to addressing 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. 

The global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continues to increase. According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Country Disease Outlook Report 2023, 35% of total deaths in Uganda are due to NCDs. 

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%, rising to 51% among those with end-stage kidney disease. 

Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister for Health, said the expansion of the HHA program to address chronic kidney disease in Uganda is timely and represents a significant advancement in the nation's healthcare landscape. 

“With this kind of collaboration, we are steadfast in our commitment to improving access to high-quality healthcare services and fostering improved health outcomes for all Ugandans,” she said. 

She said they will redouble their efforts to educate communities about hypertension symptoms and risk factors and the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles. 

Health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng interacts with Amit Bhakri (right), sub-Saharan Africa country director AstraZeneca, during the launch. Photo by Juliet Kasirye

Dr Aceng said non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney diseases, contribute significantly to disability, catastrophic health expenses, and deaths in Uganda. 

She pointed out that high blood pressure is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases. 

“In Uganda, the prevalence of high blood pressure ranges from 2–7% in community settings and as high as 15% amongst individuals with HIV and hypertension. It’s important to note that hypertension and chronic kidney disease are both preventable,” she said.

She said on May 24, Uganda entered a collaborative partnership through the signing of an MoU with AstraZeneca for the implementation of HHA at the World Health Assembly. 

“The partnership is an opportunity for Uganda to accelerate the movement towards universal health coverage with essential health and related services needed for the promotion of a healthy and productive life,” she said. 

She urged Ugandans to do regular medical check-ups and regular exercises to reduce NCDs. 

“If you pass by a health facility, go and test. It does not hurt, and if you find out that you are not well, enrol in treatment, and if you find that you are okay, walk out determined never to get such diseases,” he said. 

Dr Tonny Tumwesigye, executive director of Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau, said the integration of 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. 

With AstraZeneca's scientific expertise and the government's instrumental role in policy integration, Tumwesigye said UPMB is eager to contribute to institutional and technical capacity building. 

“Our aim is to ensure the seamless implementation of this initiative, ultimately benefiting the health of Ugandans,” he said. 

Launched in 2014, Healthy Heart Africa was established to address the increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases in Africa. 

In 2024, the program expanded to target a broader range of NCDs, including CKD. The program 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 of 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.