Page 59 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

P E R FOR M A NC E I N FOR M A T I ON

Non-Communicable
Diseases Research Unit

UNIT DIRECTOR:
Prof. Carmen Pheiffer
carmen.pheiffer@mrc.ac.za

Overview of the Research Unit Strong emphasis is placed on research capacity
development, multidisciplinary collaboration, and
In response to the increasing burden of non-
communicable diseases (NCDs) in South Africa, support for emerging researchers. Through this
the Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit comprehensive approach, the NCDRU contributes
(NCDRU) leads an integrated, data-driven public to a responsive and evidence-informed national
health and biomedical research programme aimed response to NCDs.
at enhancing understanding, detection, prevention,
and management of NCDs, including diabetes, Key Milestones and Achievements
hypertension, cardiovascular disease, Chronic The NCDRU generated new evidence on NCDs,
Kidney Disease (CKD), and cancer. The unit’s work evaluated contextually appropriate interventions,
is supported by strong community engagement, and advanced the translation of research into policy
capacity building, multidisciplinary collaboration, and practice.
data science and innovation, and a commitment to
ethics, equity, governance, and policy engagement. A major focus was the intersection between HIV
and NCDs. The MOPHADHIV study implemented
The NCDRU’s work is structured across four digital health messaging to improve hypertension
complementary research streams: Population Health treatment adherence, while the SmokRED
and Determinants; Intervention and Implementation randomised controlled trial evaluated smoking
Science; Health Systems Strengthening; and Policy cessation support among people living with HIV.
Impact. The Population Health and Determinants These interventions targeted modifiable risk factors
stream generates evidence on the epidemiology, and strengthened integrated chronic disease
risk factors, and social and structural drivers of management within primary healthcare settings.
NCDs. The Intervention and Implementation
Science stream develops and evaluates innovative, To address critical data gaps in CKD, the Unit
contextually relevant strategies to improve spearheaded the Chronic Kidney Disease in Africa
prevention, early detection, and long-term disease Collaboration (CKD-Africa), which pooled data
management. from nearly 100,000 participants across 12 African
countries. The initiative generated robust analyses
The Health Systems Strengthening stream focuses of CKD prevalence and determinants, enabling
on optimising health services to deliver integrated, cross-country comparisons and supporting
equitable, and high-quality NCD care, while the evidence-based planning. A significant milestone
Policy Impact stream translates research findings
into actionable policies and guidelines that support was the publication of the collaboration’s first
evidence-based decision-making. original research paper in the American Journal
of Kidney Diseases, positioning CKD-Africa as a
Across all streams, the Unit prioritises innovative leading African data platform. Additional research
methods and technologies while addressing explored small non-coding RNAs as potential
challenges unique to the South African context. biomarkers for the early detection of CKD.

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