Launch of Non-Communicable Diseases Research Division (NCDRD)

A collaboration of Wits Faculty of Health Sciences specialists, epidemiologists, molecular biologists and the National Cancer Registry has formed the NCDRD.

South Africa, burdened with HIV and TB, is now facing a rapidly increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases – obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and depression. Unfortunately, just as SA is bringing the HIV epidemic under control with an expanded ART programme and the life expectancy of citizens increasing, the burden of common cancers such as breast, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers is increasing. 

The Non-Communicable Diseases Research Division (NCDRD) aims to meet the challenges presented by non-communicable diseases. The NCDRD has established several hospital and community cohort studies and molecular genetic biomarker projects.  A key focus is on co-morbidities and health system strengthening by addressing barriers to early-stage patient presentation, diagnosis and optimum management of patients. 

"South Africa is facing growing prevalences of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and depression. We need an integrated approach of different clinical specialists with scientists to find ways to not only improve the screening and treatment of thesis conditions but also to prevent such diseases. Wits Health Consortium at the University of the Witwatersrand,  is launching a division dedicated to just this - tackling non-communicable diseases in South Africa," says Professor Shane Norris, Director of the MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit 

The NCDRD is a multidisciplinary research division within the Wits Health Consortium, a wholly owned clinical research company of Wits University that fosters academic entrepreneurial research. 

Add event to calendar