Nepalese health project receives NHMRC Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases funding
A project designed to improve the continuum of care for non-communicable diseases in Nepal has received 2023 National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) scheme funding of $1.24 million over five years.
The objective of the scheme is to fund implementation research focused on addressing risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) associated with city environments and related health inequities.
Led by Associate Professor Jacqueline Boyle and Dr Rajshree Thapa from Eastern Health Clinical School and Professor Amanda Thrift of the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, the project team also includes implementation scientists, policymakers and implementing partners from the Nepal Development Society, the Ministry of Health and Population and Tribhuvan University in Nepal, and Aarhus University, Denmark.
The project will focus on addressing hypertension, poor diet, tobacco use, diabetes, and access to care for the urban poor, by developing behaviour change interventions and improvements to primary and secondary prevention services access.
The research will be conducted in informal settlements and peri-urban environments across three Nepalese cities, focusing on vulnerable groups such as young people, older adults and people experiencing homelessness.
Dr Thapa said that the funding would help to build on previous work the team had undertaken to address healthcare inequities in urban South Asian communities. “The urban poor often face complex socio-economic barriers in accessing health care services and a large proportion rely on publicly financed urban health clinics that are not adequately prepared to deliver services for diagnosis and treatment of NCDs,” she said. “We look forward to working with our local stakeholders in developing an equitable and sustainable model of care, and empowering and equipping urban health clinics to better manage NCDs.”
Learn more about the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases.
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