6 June 2025
Day 3 of the IS4NCDs 2025 Consortium Meeting in Lusaka was marked by deep introspection and reflection as participants critically examined the planned modules for the Implementation Science for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) course. The consortium, which aims to build capacity in implementation science tailored to NCD prevention and management in Africa, focused on refining the curriculum to ensure it addresses the unique challenges faced in the region.
The day’s highlight was an enlightening visit to the Matero First Level Hospital PenPlus Clinic. This clinic is part of the PEN-Plus program, an integrated health service model addressing severe chronic NCDs at the first-referral hospital level in Zambia. The visit provided consortium members with a firsthand understanding of the practical health service delivery and patient care models in operation, emphasizing community-based and accessible care for chronic diseases.
In addition to the clinical visit, the group toured the University of Zambia (UNZA) campus. The university plays a pivotal role in the IS4NCDs initiative, hosting the meeting and contributing to the development and dissemination of the new transdisciplinary, competency-based NCD-focused modules. The tour gave attendees an appreciation of the academic environment and resources supporting health education and research in Zambia.
This day in the meeting embodied the IS4NCDs project’s broader goals: enhancing collaborative efforts across universities in Southern Africa to train a skilled health and research workforce, capable of translating national NCD policies into effective actions. The reflective discussions and practical experiences gained during the hospital visit and campus tour are vital steps towards advancing the project’s commitment to fighting the rising burden of NCDs in Africa through innovative education and implementation science strategies.
The IS4NCDs project is a collaborative effort involving the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University, Stellenbosch University, the University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, the Institute for Tropical Medicine, and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, coordinated by the University Medical Center Utrecht. It focuses on co-developing course modules, training educators, and fostering partnerships to support effective NCD care and prevention in the region.
The IS4NCDs project has received funding from the European Union's Erasmus+ programme under Grant Agreement no. 101179511
The IS4NCDs project has received funding from the European Union's Erasmus+ programme under Grant Agreement no. 101179511