A team of researchers from the University of Cape Coast (UCC), in collaboration with a researcher from the University of Kentucky and other scientists, is leading an assessment of health system readiness and capacity for hypertension care in Ghana.

The project, titled “Health Facility Readiness and Capacity Assessment for Hypertension Care: The Hypertension Care Improvement Study (HyCare-IS)”, is co-led by Dr. Isaac Tabiri Henneh of the University of Cape Coast and Dr. Thomas Hinneh of the University of Kentucky as Co-Principal Investigators. The wider research team includes other researchers and healthcare professionals, namely Dr. Stephen Mensah Arhin, Dr. Samuel Ofosu, Dr. Elizabeth Atuley, Dr. Isaiah Arhin and Prof. Martins Ekor. Members of the team bring diverse expertise in hypertension, primary healthcare, nursing, pharmacy and health systems research. The project is being funded by the University of Cape Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy as one of the two Policy and Practice-Oriented research projects at the 10th Research Awards and Grants Ceremony of the University.

Hypertension and diabetes remain major public health concerns in Ghana, contributing significantly to preventable illnesses and deaths. Hypertension, in particular, is a major risk factor for stroke, heart disease and kidney disease. However, many people live with high blood pressure without being aware of their condition.

Significant gaps remain in the diagnosis, treatment and long-term control of hypertension. Some health facilities face shortages of essential medicines, limited diagnostic equipment, inadequate staffing and challenges in providing continuous care for people living with chronic conditions.

These challenges are particularly important because hypertension frequently coexists with diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors. When these conditions are not identified and managed early, the risk of complications, including stroke, heart failure and kidney disease, increases.

The HyCare-IS project seeks to assess the preparedness of primary healthcare facilities to provide effective hypertension care and identify areas requiring additional support. Specifically, the study examines the availability of blood pressure monitoring devices, essential medicines, laboratory services, trained healthcare professionals, treatment guidelines and patient follow-up systems.

The research team will also examine patient pathways through hypertension care services, from registration and blood pressure measurement to clinical consultation, medication dispensing, patient education and follow-up appointments. This assessment will help identify potential delays, service delivery gaps and areas where continuity of care may be compromised.

Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals will also share their experiences of providing hypertension care, including the practical challenges they encounter and the resources and support needed to improve service delivery.

The study will be conducted in primary healthcare facilities across Ghana’s Central Region, covering both urban and rural settings. The region provides an opportunity to examine variations in staffing, healthcare resources and patient demand across different health facilities.

The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, particularly the Central Regional Health Directorate, which will facilitate engagement with participating health facilities and healthcare professionals.

The findings are expected to identify critical gaps in health facility readiness and capacity, providing valuable evidence to inform decisions on healthcare staffing, the availability of essential medicines, diagnostic equipment and the organisation of hypertension care services.

The project forms part of ongoing efforts by the University of Cape Coast and its partners to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and improve the prevention, early detection and management of hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in Ghana.