Collaborative projects that focus on strengthening comprehensive integrated care for individuals and families as well as addressing the broader social and environmental determinants of health.
The CMED-C study addresses the lack of community-based mental health screening and limited mental health literacy among children, adolescents, and caregivers in South Africa. It aims to develop a practical tool to improve understanding of mental health, support early detection of possible conditions, and strengthen pathways to care for young people aged 6–18 and their families.
Development and evaluation of a targeted, integrated, coherent and people-centred approach to the management of multimorbidity in South African primary healthcare
The ENHANCE study aims to co-produce and evaluate a scalable health system intervention to improve care for people living with multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) in South Africa. It seeks to balance clinical evidence with patient needs, community preferences, and local health system realities. The project is a collaboration between UKZN, King’s College London, and the Knowledge Translation Unit at the University of Cape Town.
Mental health INTegration programme
Severe mental illness following post-acute hospital discharge in South Africa
The MhINT Recovery project addresses the high rates of repeated hospitalisation among people living with severe mental illness in South Africa. It aims to develop and test a sustainable, evidence-based intervention that supports recovery and continuity of care after discharge from acute psychiatric hospitalisation, particularly within resource-limited health systems.
Strengthening the health system for a people-centred community orientation in South Africa.
Rising multimorbidity in South Africa highlights the need for resilient, people-centred health systems. Weaknesses in health system pillars and limited multi-sectoral approaches reduce the ability of systems to respond effectively to syndemics and complex health needs.
Many health systems in low- and middle-income countries face challenges in delivering high-quality, equitable care. There is a need for robust evidence and practical solutions to guide health system transformation globally.
The Primary Health Care Transformation Committee (PHCTC) is a learning collaborative in KwaZulu-Natal that drives health system reform to strengthen Primary Health Care (PHC) and revitalise Community-Oriented Primary Care (COPC). Established in 2018 through a partnership between the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health and UKZN’s Centre for Rural Health, the PHCTC promotes evidence-based decision-making and shared learning to improve people-centred health services.
