AstraZeneca launches new Healthy Heart Africa programme

AstraZeneca has announced the launch of a new programme aimed at tackling the burden of hypertension in Africa.

The Healthy Heart Africa scheme aims to support local health systems by increasing awareness of the symptoms and risks of hypertension and offering education, screening, treatment and control. It will initially be introduced in Kenya, before being rolled out to other nations later.

Devised in consultation and collaboration with non-governmental and community-based organisations, international organisations, health experts and governments, the programme will commence with demonstration projects running for 12 to 18 months that test different models of integrating hypertension care into existing health platforms.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among those aged over 45 in Africa, making this an important new project.

Mark Mallon, international executive vice-president at AstraZeneca, said the company will ensure the programme's sustainability "by taking a holistic approach to healthcare delivery, establishing strong working partnerships and securing local ownership through collaboration at all levels of the healthcare system".

This comes after the firm announced four new collaborations with the University of Cambridge earlier this month, driving medical innovation while deepening its roots in the Cambridge area.