Improving HIV care in rural Uganda through traditional healers
Official title: Omuyambi: Traditional healer support to improve HIV viral suppression in rural Uganda
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11030740 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to improve HIV care for people living with HIV in rural Uganda by working with trusted local healers to help them get and stick with their treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $557,654 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132440-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11030740 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV in rural Uganda who have disengaged from HIV care or are new to antiretroviral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living with HIV in urban areas or those already engaged in consistent HIV care may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance HIV care for individuals living with HIV in rural Uganda by integrating traditional healers into the healthcare system. Traditional healers, who are trusted community members, will assist patients in accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) and provide ongoing support for adherence and retention in care. The program, called Omuyambi, builds on previous successful interventions that increased HIV testing and aims to ensure that patients receive comprehensive care. By leveraging the existing relationships that traditional healers have with their communities, the project seeks to improve health outcomes for those who have previously disengaged from HIV care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the rates of HIV viral suppression among rural populations in Uganda.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in integrating traditional healers into healthcare models, indicating a promising approach for this intervention.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sundararajan, Radhika Lu — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Sundararajan, Radhika Lu
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.