Focus Areas

1. Hypertension 

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, remains one of the leading causes of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure in Uganda. Many people live with it unknowingly until serious complications occur. ISO-NCD focuses on community screening, education, and long-term management of hypertension through routine blood pressure checks and counseling.

We collaborate with Village Health Teams (VHTs) and local health facilities to make screening available at markets, churches, and village meetings. By linking patients to nearby Community Care Hubs, we ensure they receive regular monitoring, medication refills, and lifestyle guidance. Our goal is to help every household understand their blood pressure status and adopt habits that keep hearts healthy.

2. Diabetes Mellitus 

Diabetes is rapidly increasing in Uganda, yet many cases remain undiagnosed until complications arise. ISO-NCD promotes early detection through free glucose testing drives and awareness sessions on healthy eating and physical activity.

We provide counseling to individuals at risk, training them to understand symptoms, monitor blood sugar, and seek timely medical care. Our programs emphasize affordable diet changes using locally available foods and regular exercise as key strategies for control.

By strengthening community understanding of diabetes prevention and management, ISO-NCD helps reduce hospital admissions and improves the daily wellbeing of people living with diabetes across rural Uganda.

3. Mental Health

Mental health challenges often go unnoticed and untreated in many communities due to stigma and limited services. ISO-NCD integrates mental health awareness into all its programs to ensure holistic care for individuals and families. We train VHTs to recognize early signs of stress, depression, and anxiety, and to provide basic psychosocial support or referrals to health professionals.

Through group discussions, radio programs, and counseling sessions, we encourage open dialogue about mental wellbeing and promote community-based coping strategies. Our goal is to normalize seeking help, reduce stigma, and strengthen community resilience in dealing with life’s pressures.

4. Sickle Cell

Sickle Cell Disease continues to affect thousands of Ugandan children and families, yet awareness and screening remain low. ISO-NCD supports early testing, education, and counseling for families living with sickle cell to ensure early intervention and ongoing care.

Our programs emphasize genetic counseling, access to regular medical follow-up, and community support groups that provide comfort and shared learning. By working with schools, local leaders, and caregivers, we aim to reduce stigma and promote a supportive environment where every child with sickle cell can thrive.

5. Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable yet deadly cancers among women in Uganda. ISO-NCD’s cervical cancer initiatives focus on awareness, screening, and vaccination for prevention. We organize outreach programs that educate women about the importance of regular screening and early detection using simple, affordable methods.

Working closely with local health centers and trained nurses, we link women who test positive for precancerous lesions to immediate treatment. ISO-NCD also supports HPV vaccination for adolescent girls as a long-term strategy to protect future generations.

Our goal is to eliminate preventable cervical cancer deaths by ensuring that every woman, regardless of location or income, has access to lifesaving screening and information.