For decades, the global health narrative in East Africa has been dominated by the fight against infectious diseases. However, a quieter, more insidious crisis is taking hold. Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs)—a cluster of conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders—are rising sharply across the region, driven by rapid urbanization and shifting lifestyles. The challenge is no longer just a lack of medication, but a critical gap in the expertise of the people delivering the care.
To bridge this divide, Amref Health Africa is launching an ambitious regional initiative designed to overhaul how health professionals are trained to handle these complex conditions. Titled “Enhancing Institutional Capacity for Education on Cardiometabolic Diseases (CMDs) in East Africa,” the three-year program (2026–2029) represents a strategic pivot toward sustainable, institutionalized knowledge. Funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation under its flagship Partnership for Education of Health Professionals (PEP) initiative, the program will operate across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
The initiative recognizes a fundamental truth in public health: clinical outcomes are only as good as the education behind them. By targeting universities and mid-level health training institutions, Amref aims to ensure that the next generation of doctors, nurses, and allied health workers are not merely treating symptoms, but are equipped with the latest evidence-based strategies for the prevention and management of CMDs. In Uganda, this effort will be spearheaded by a dedicated Health Professions Education Specialist, who will serve as the Program Manager to navigate the intersection of academic reform and national health policy.
A Blueprint for Systemic Change: The Hub-and-Spoke Model
Rather than implementing fragmented training workshops, the PEP program utilizes a “hub-and-spoke” model. This architectural approach to education establishes “Centres of Excellence” (the hubs) that act as engines of innovation. These hubs are tasked with spearheading curriculum reform and faculty development, which are then disseminated to smaller, affiliated training institutions (the spokes).
This model is designed to prevent the “knowledge silo” effect, where only a few elite institutions in capital cities possess the latest medical protocols. By strengthening the capacity of these hubs, Amref ensures that high-quality, inclusive training reaches a broader geographic area, ensuring that a student in a rural training center receives the same standard of CMD education as one in a major university.
The scope of this educational overhaul is comprehensive, focusing on four primary pillars:
- Curriculum Reform: Moving toward competency-based education that integrates emerging CMD priorities and emphasizes gender equity and non-discrimination.
- Faculty Development: Training the trainers through mentorship programs, pedagogical training, and the creation of professional communities of practice.
- Digital Innovation: The adoption of blended learning—combining online, offline, and mobile-enabled solutions—to increase the accessibility of specialized medical education.
- Implementation Research: Using data-driven studies to evaluate the effectiveness of new teaching methods and their actual impact on patient outcomes.
Navigating the Ugandan Landscape
In Uganda, the program’s success hinges on the ability to align international funding with national sovereignty and regulatory standards. The Program Manager in Uganda will be tasked with a complex diplomatic role, acting as the primary liaison between Amref and the Ugandan government.
Crucially, the program must navigate the requirements of key regulatory bodies, including the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and the Uganda Health Professions Allied Board (UHPAB). Because changing a medical curriculum requires official accreditation and policy buy-in, the initiative focuses heavily on “policy dialogue.” This ensures that once the program concludes in 2029, the reforms are not just temporary additions but are institutionalized within the national health workforce development framework.
The operational focus in Uganda will include the physical and intellectual equipping of simulation and skills laboratories. These labs allow students to practice high-stakes CMD interventions in a controlled environment, reducing risk to patients and increasing the confidence of practitioners before they enter the clinic.
Program Framework at a Glance
| Component | Primary Objective | Key Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Capacity | Standardize CMD education | Hub-and-Spoke Centres of Excellence |
| Teaching Method | Increase access and quality | Blended & Mobile Learning |
| Regulatory Alignment | Ensure sustainability | Partnerships with NCHE and UHPAB |
| Clinical Skillset | Practical competency | Simulation & Skills Laboratories |
The Stakes of the ‘Silent Epidemic’
The urgency of this program is underscored by the shifting epidemiological profile of East Africa. While the region has made historic strides in combating HIV/AIDS and malaria, the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) threatens to overwhelm health systems that are already stretched thin. Cardiometabolic diseases are particularly dangerous because they often remain asymptomatic until a catastrophic event—such as a stroke or heart attack—occurs.
By focusing on education, the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Amref are addressing the “upstream” cause of poor health outcomes. When a nurse in a mid-level clinic is trained in the latest preventative care for diabetes, it reduces the burden on tertiary hospitals and lowers the long-term cost of care for the patient. This shift from reactive treatment to proactive management is the central goal of the PEP Theory of Change.
Beyond the clinical aspects, the program is integrating a critical focus on equity. By ensuring that CMD education is inclusive and non-discriminatory, the program aims to reach marginalized populations who are often overlooked in the management of chronic diseases.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For health concerns related to cardiometabolic diseases, please consult a licensed healthcare provider.
As the program prepares for its 2026 launch, the immediate focus remains on the “start-up” phase: conducting institutional capacity assessments and signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with participating universities. The next critical milestone will be the establishment of the national governance platforms and the formal selection of the “Hub” institutions that will lead Uganda’s contribution to the East African regional outcomes.
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