WeeklySA_AdminHEALTHCARE: A pioneering study in rural KwaZulu-Natal has shown that taking hypertension care directly into communities can dramatically improve blood pressure control, offering a blueprint for reducing strokes, heart disease and pressure on South Africa’s overburdened healthcare system…
By WSAM Reporter
South Africa could be on the cusp of transforming the way hypertension is managed, thanks to pioneering research that brings healthcare directly into communities.
Researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, government leaders, community representatives and traditional leaders gathered at the IMPACT-BP Symposium, hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) College of Health Sciences (CHS) and the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), to discuss practical solutions to one of the country’s most pressing public health challenges.
The symposium highlighted findings from the groundbreaking IMPACT-BP Study, led by UKZN’s Professor Nombulelo Magula and AHRI’s Professor Mark Siedner.
Conducted in rural KwaZulu-Natal, the study evaluated a home-based, technology-supported model of hypertension care designed to improve long-term blood pressure control while easing pressure on overstretched healthcare facilities. Hypertension, often described as the “silent killer”, affects millions of South Africans and is a leading cause of strokes, heart attacks, kidney disease and premature death. Although treatment is widely available, many patients struggle to keep their blood pressure under control because of travel costs, lengthy clinic waiting times and limited access to healthcare services.
The IMPACT-BP Study sought to overcome these barriers by shifting care from clinics to patients’ homes. Community healthcare workers conducted regular home visits, monitored blood pressure, encouraged medication adherence and used digital health technologies to improve follow-up and patient engagement. Medication delivery services further reduced the need for frequent clinic visits. The results were striking. Within six months, 80% of participants receiving the home-based intervention had achieved blood pressure control, compared with just 33% of those receiving standard clinic-based care.
Researchers concluded that combining home monitoring, digital health technologies and medicine delivery significantly improved patient engagement and treatment adherence. They believe the model could prevent thousands of cases of stroke, heart disease and kidney failure while reducing long-term healthcare costs and relieving pressure on primary healthcare services.
Addressing the symposium, Deputy Minister of Health Dr Joseph Phaahla congratulated the research team and underscored the importance of strengthening community-based healthcare.
“Hypertension remains a silent killer affecting nearly one-third of Africa’s adult population,” he said. “The success of the IMPACT-BP Study emphasises the need to strengthen community healthcare. We call for stronger collaboration between government, academia, healthcare providers and communities to scale up effective interventions.”
The symposium drew a broad cross-section of health sector leaders, including Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health Dr Faith Muthambi, committee member Dr Karl le Roux, Dr Anastase Dzudie of the Pan-African Society of Cardiology, National Department of Health Chief Director for Nutrition, Oral Health and Health Promotion Rebone Ntsie, KwaZulu-Natal Head of Health Penelope Msimango, provincial Chronic Diseases Programme Manager Sindi Mthethwa, Umkhanyakude District representative Bheki Fakude, hospital chief operating officers, researchers, community healthcare workers, civil society organisations, traditional leaders and study participants.
Professor Busisiwe Ncama, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of UKZN’s College of Health Sciences, said the study demonstrates that community-driven healthcare can play a transformative role in tackling non-communicable diseases.
“As South Africa continues to confront a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, the IMPACT-BP Study offers a promising roadmap for the future—one in which quality healthcare is more accessible, patient-centred and delivered closer to home,” she said. “The evidence exists, the partnerships are in place, and the opportunity to transform hypertension care is within reach. This study has shown that stronger health systems can be built through collaboration, innovation and community-driven approaches.”
The findings are expected to inform future health policy discussions as the government considers expanding community-based models of care to combat the country’s growing burden of chronic diseases.
