Multimorbidity research project secures funding

HCRI and partner organisations secure funding for new research collaboration to identify multimorbidity in sub-Saharan African hospitals. . (Pictured above) Dr Felix Limbani and Dr Stephen Spencer visit to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Tanzania, meeting with Dr Matt Rubach and some of the team working on the NIHR funded Mutlilink Multimorbidity project. Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute at University of Manchester in collaboration with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and five partner organisations have secured funding from National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to design and test a system that identifies patients suffering from multiple chronic diseases (multimorbidity) when they seek emergency care in sub-Saharan African hospitals. The Multilink consortium , administered through LSTM, aims to research ways to identify multimorbidity (such as high blood pressure, diabetes and HIV) by improving diagnostic tests in emergency departments in hospitals in Malawi and Tanzania. The overall aim is to improve early disease treatment, ensure better follow up (prevent complications, disability and hospital readmission), thus improving health related quality of life and survival rates. As part of this programme of work, the Multilink consortium have funded four multidisciplinary PhDs, who will lead the main research areas in the disciplines of clinical medicine; health economics; health systems; and social science.