OUR RESEARCH FOCUS

ECF conducts Phase II to Phase IV clinical trials and implementation science studies in:

Our Focus Areas:

  • HIV prevention, treatment and co-morbidities
  • Tuberculosis prevention and treatment
  • Vaccine development and evaluation
  • Women’s and reproductive health
  • COVID-19 therapeutics and public health responses
  • Non-communicable diseases
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Hyperlipidaemia
  • Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Diabetes prevention and management
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Research

ECF undertakes relevant research in the fields of HIV and TB. The leadership of ECF is widely published in these fields and various research initiatives are ongoing. Research studies are conducted independently as well as in collaboration with US- and African-based research and tertiary institutions. Although the focus of the research is related to therapeutics of HIV and TB, health systems and implementation science research is also undertaken.

Capacity development

ECF has conducted capacity development to many health care professionals and non-professionals in South Africa and other parts of Africa through face to face and online platforms. ECF has a focus on capacitating doctors, nurses and pharmacists on the clinical management of HIV and TB. ECF developed the first course work-based diploma in this field and has reached out to thousands of health professionals.

Health Systems Strengthening

Health systems strengthening is led by public health specialists and involves an understanding of the gaps in the South African Health Care System and a strategy to address these gaps. ECF has worked with various development partners including World Bank and Global Fund to address gaps in HIV and TB management. ECF has several focal areas including TB in the mining sector, HIV management in the public health sector, cross border harmonisation of TB management, HIV prevention particularly among vulnerable populations.

ADVANCING RESEARCH. ENHANCING CARE.

From rigorous clinical research to capacity building and stronger health systems. Whether you’re a funder, researcher, or partner organisation, we’re ready to collaborate on work that improves health and well-being.
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BUILT ON RIGOUR. TRUSTED FOR RESULTS.

Delivering research that stands up to scrutiny.

Proven Research Experience

Extensive experience managing NIH-funded clinical trials in HIV and TB, backed by a widely published leadership team.

Ethical and Compliant

Every study is conducted to rigorous ethical and regulatory standards, ensuring credible, trusted results.

Scientific Rigour

We implement studies with exceptional scientific rigour, grounded in the local context.

Reliable Delivery

We manage complex, multi-year trials with discipline — meeting commitments to participants and funders.

Collaborative Team

A multi-national, collaborative team working in partnership across institutions and borders.

Capacity-Focused Approach

We build skills, systems and linkages that strengthen research and care well beyond any single study.

RESEARCH

Confronting Tuberculosis through research that saves lives

Tuberculosis remains one of South Africa’s most urgent public health challenges. At the Enhancing Care Foundation (ECF), advancing the science of TB prevention, treatment and vaccine development is central to our mission.

TB continues to place an immense burden on individuals, families and the health system. Meeting that challenge takes more than existing tools; it takes new evidence, better regimens and smarter approaches to care. That is where ECF’s research comes in.

We lead and support studies that investigate how to prevent multidrug-resistant TB, how to design innovative treatment regimens, shortened TB regimens and how to improve the clinical management of patients. Each study is aimed squarely at two outcomes: reducing the overall disease burden and improving results for the people who walk through clinic doors every day.

By generating rigorous local evidence, ECF helps ensure that TB responses are grounded in what works in South African communities. This is research with a clear purpose, to move us closer to a future where tuberculosis no longer claims lives that could be saved.

RESEARCH

Two decades at the forefront of HIV research

For more than twenty years, ECF has helped shape the way HIV is prevented, treated and understood in South Africa.

HIV research does not stand still, and neither do we. Our current portfolio reflects the questions that matter most for people living with, and at risk of, HIV today. Our studies focus on:

  • Optimised antiretroviral therapy regimens including long-acting ART
  • HIV and TB co-infection management
  • HIV treatment outcomes among vulnerable populations
  • Long-acting HIV prevention and treatment options
  • Innovative therapeutic approaches designed to improve adherence and long-term health outcomes

The value of this work extends far beyond any single clinical trial. The evidence generated through ECF studies feeds directly into global treatment guidelines, informs the way national programmes are implemented, and improves the quality of care that people living with HIV receive.

After more than two decades in this field, our commitment is unchanged: to keep asking the hard questions and to keep delivering answers that make a measurable difference to health outcomes.

PARTNERSHIPS

Meaningful research begins with meaningful partnerships

At ECF, we believe that the most impactful research is built on strong, trusted relationships, with government, with health structures and with communities.

Our longstanding relationship with the National Department of Health (NDOH) is a cornerstone of our work. It reflects a shared commitment to improving health outcomes through evidence-based interventions, research and health systems strengthening.

Supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, ECF has established a significant footprint across the province. Working closely with provincial and district health structures ensures that our research remains responsive to local health priorities and the real needs of communities. This includes providing updates in the KZN research seminars as part of disseminating research results for our studies.

Over the years we have built strong partnerships with the eThekwini Health District, healthcare facilities, programme managers and frontline healthcare workers. These relationships underpin every stage of our work, from research implementation and participant recruitment to health promotion and the translation of scientific evidence into better care.

We also work hand in hand with the eThekwini AIDS Council, District AIDS Councils, the KwaZulu-Natal Civil Society Sector, community-based organisations, traditional leadership structures and community stakeholders. Together, these partnerships strengthen public participation in research and help ensure health programmes truly serve the people they are designed for.

COMMUNITY

A community engagement footprint that reaches across KwaZulu-Natal

ECF’s presence is felt in every region of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and reaches communities right across KwaZulu-Natal.

Through partnerships with healthcare facilities, community organisations, local leadership structures and civil society networks, ECF maintains a continuous, visible presence in the communities we serve. That presence is what allows research to stay connected to real lives.

Our community engagement activities include:

  • Health promotion and awareness campaigns
  • Community dialogues and stakeholder consultations
  • Research literacy and education initiatives
  • Public health outreach events
  • Participant recruitment and retention activities
  • Community feedback and dissemination forums
  • Capacity strengthening and stakeholder engagement programmes

This extensive footprint is not about reach for its own sake. It ensures that research participation remains inclusive, representative and accessible, so that the benefits and the voice of research extend to diverse communities, not just a select few.

COMMUNITY

Communities are Partners, not just participants

At ECF, community engagement is not something that happens alongside research. It is woven into how research is designed, carried out and turned into meaningful outcomes.

We recognise that communities are far more than research participants. They are valued partners whose lived experience, local knowledge and perspectives shape the quality, relevance and impact of everything we do.

By fostering collaboration, transparency and mutual accountability, we create real opportunities for communities to take part in research, influence decisions and contribute to solutions for the health and social priorities that matter to them. This is what keeps research grounded and responsive.

This collaborative approach also protects the integrity of our work. It promotes trust, upholds ethical research practice, and ensures that community perspectives remain central at every stage, from the first research question to the final result.

IMPACT

Community engagement that delivers measurable impact

Every year, ECF’s community engagement programme translates commitment into concrete results.

The numbers tell a story of sustained, wide-reaching presence in the communities we serve:

  • 22 community events supported annually, spanning health promotion campaigns, awareness programmes, stakeholder dialogues and outreach initiatives
  • More than 45,000 beneficiaries reached with health information, research awareness, referrals and public health services
  • 66 health facilities engaged across eThekwini and KwaZulu-Natal to strengthen referral pathways, programme implementation and research participation
  • 15 Community Advisory Board members representing diverse communities and keeping research community-centred and responsive to community needs.
  • 4 District AIDS Councils engaged annually, supporting coordinated responses to HIV, TB, non-communicable diseases and broader health priorities
  • 110 wards and municipal communities reached across metropolitan, peri-urban and rural areas

Behind each figure are real people connected to information, services and a genuine voice in research. This is the measurable difference that meaningful engagement makes.

CAPACITY

Building research capacity for the future

Conducting clinical trials is only part of ECF’s story. We are equally committed to strengthening the people and systems that will carry health research forward.

That means investing in local research capacity, supporting healthcare workers, mentoring emerging researchers, and developing sustainable systems that improve healthcare delivery in underserved communities. When we build capacity, the benefits outlast the life of a research study.

Through investment in people, partnerships, infrastructure and innovation, ECF continues to contribute to a stronger health system and healthier communities. Each of these building blocks reinforces the others.

For us, research is more than science. It is a pathway to healthier communities, stronger health systems, informed policy, improved clinical care and lasting impact for the people of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and the global community.

ETHICS

Our commitment to Good Participatory Practice

ECF applies the Good Participatory Practice Guidelines across all our research and community engagement, providing a clear framework for respectful, accountable partnership throughout the research journey.

These guidelines shape how researchers, participants, communities and stakeholders engage with one another, from the earliest planning stages through to sharing results. They reflect our belief that ethical research depends on trust, transparency and genuine partnership.

By embedding these principles into our work, we strengthen the relationships between researchers and communities, promote informed participation, and safeguard the wellbeing of every participant. The result is research that is both scientifically rigorous and socially relevant.

In practice, this commitment means we work to promote ethical and community-centred research, protect participant rights and wellbeing, improve the relevance and acceptability of studies, support informed decision-making, and foster sustainable partnerships built on community ownership and participation.

PARTNERSHIPS

Our approach to stakeholder engagement

Effective community engagement depends on collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, each with an important role in health systems, community development and research.

ECF works closely with government departments, healthcare providers, community structures, civil society organisations, academic institutions, research partners and community leaders. This breadth ensures our research is informed by diverse perspectives and aligned with local priorities.

Government and health sector

We engage national and provincial departments of health, district health authorities, healthcare facilities, clinic managers, healthcare workers, community health workers and frontline service providers. These partnerships strengthen coordination and service linkages, facilitate referrals, and ensure research contributes to broader public health goals.

Community level

We collaborate with Community Advisory Boards, community-based organisations, civil society groups, traditional and faith leaders, youth and women’s organisations, advocacy groups, patient support networks and local structures. Their insights keep research culturally appropriate, inclusive and responsive to real community needs.

Academic and research partners

Our relationships with universities, research institutions, ethics committees, sponsors and collaborators support scientific excellence, ethical oversight, capacity strengthening and the sharing of best practice. Together, these partnerships keep our research relevant, ethical and responsive.

PROCESS

Community engagement across the research lifecycle

At ECF, community engagement is not confined to a single moment. It is integrated into every stage of the research process.

Planning and design

Engagement begins at the very start. We consult stakeholders to identify community priorities, understand local contexts, anticipate challenges and shape study design, helping ensure that research questions are relevant and study procedures are appropriate and acceptable.

Study implementation

The CAB are given the chance to review our research protocols prior to being finalised. Throughout a study, we keep communication open through consultations, meetings, outreach, educational programmes, health awareness campaigns, clinic-based engagements and community dialogues. These interactions build relationships, address concerns and raise awareness of both research and health services.

Accountability and feedback

Meaningful engagement needs channels for people to give feedback and raise concerns. ECF encourages open dialogue and treats community input as an essential part of ethical research, using it to drive continuous improvement and strengthen participant protection.

Results sharing

We return findings to communities through meetings, stakeholder forums, educational sessions, clinic engagements, conference presentations and public events. By sharing results in accessible ways, we ensure that those who contribute to research also benefit from the knowledge it produces.

COMMUNITY

The vital role of Community Advisory Boards

Community Advisory Boards (CABs) sit at the heart of ethical, community-informed research, serving as a bridge between researchers and the communities they work with.

CAB members help ensure that community perspectives are considered throughout the research process. Through guidance and oversight, they contribute to discussions on community priorities and concerns, recruitment and informed consent, participant rights and protections, communication and outreach, and how findings are shared.

Their involvement strengthens accountability, promotes transparency, and keeps research culturally sensitive and responsive to community needs. In short, CABs help make sure research serves communities rather than simply studying them.

To support them in this role, ECF provides ongoing training and capacity-building. This covers Good Participatory Practice, research literacy, research ethics, informed consent, participant rights and responsibilities, clinical trial processes, stakeholder engagement, communication skills and emerging public health issues.

These initiatives enable CAB members to engage confidently with researchers, represent community interests effectively, and contribute meaningfully to ethical research oversight and decision-making.

EDUCATION

Research literacy: Empowering communities to participate with confidence

Meaningful participation in research depends on access to accurate information and a clear understanding of how research works. That is why ECF invests in research literacy.

Our programmes help communities understand the purpose of clinical research, the ethical principles that guide it, and the rights and responsibilities of research participants. When people understand research, they can engage with it on their own terms.

We deliver research literacy to Community Advisory Board members, community stakeholders, healthcare workers, clinic and hospital staff, community-based organisations and community members. Topics include clinical research processes, Good Participatory Practice, research ethics, informed consent, participant protections, study implementation, data confidentiality and the role of communities in research.

Our community education also covers key health topics, HIV, tuberculosis, vaccines, sexual and reproductive health, non-communicable diseases, mental health and emerging public health issues that affect local communities.

By improving research literacy, ECF empowers individuals and communities to make informed decisions, engage confidently in research, and contribute meaningfully to health programmes and research initiatives.

OUTREACH

Supporting health awareness and community outreach

As part of our commitment to community engagement and health promotion, ECF partners with clinics, healthcare facilities, community stakeholders and local partners to support awareness campaigns and outreach events throughout the year.

These activities open the door to conversations about research and about the health issues that matter most, including HIV prevention and treatment, tuberculosis, vaccination programmes, sexual and reproductive health, chronic disease management, mental health and other priorities.

Through health fairs, wellness days, community dialogues, clinic activations, awareness campaigns and outreach programmes, we connect communities with health information, screening services, referrals and available support resources, meeting people where they are.

By working alongside clinics and healthcare providers, we strengthen the relationship between communities and the health system, improve access to information and services, and raise awareness of both research opportunities and public health priorities.

TRUST

Building trust through transparency

Trust is the foundation of successful community engagement, and at ECF we work continually to earn and keep it.

We build trust through open communication, accessible information, responsive feedback mechanisms and consistent ethical conduct. These are not one-off gestures but everyday commitments that shape how we work.

We know that communities are far more likely to engage meaningfully in research when they feel respected, informed and heard. Transparency is what makes that possible.

By fostering transparent and respectful relationships, ECF strengthens confidence in the research process and supports long-term partnerships that endure well beyond any individual study.

CAPACITY

Strengthening community capacity and leadership

ECF’s commitment to communities goes beyond supporting participation in research. We also work to strengthen community capacity and leadership for the long term.

Through targeted initiatives, we support the development of Community Advisory Boards, stakeholder engagement, leadership skills, research literacy, Good Participatory Practice, health advocacy, youth participation, community mobilisation and community health promotion.

We also provide training and capacity-building for community stakeholders, clinic personnel, healthcare workers, community-based organisations and local leaders, deepening their understanding of research, ethical engagement, health promotion and community participation.

These efforts help communities build the knowledge, confidence and organisational capacity to engage effectively in research and contribute to wider health and development work.

Just as importantly, strengthening capacity promotes sustainability, enabling communities to take a more active role in shaping the programmes and interventions that affect their lives.

ETHICS

Advancing ethical, community-centred research

Guided by the principles of Good Participatory Practice, ECF is committed to research in which communities are informed, respected and actively involved in the decisions that affect their lives.

We bring this commitment to life through strong partnerships, continuous dialogue, stakeholder capacity strengthening, CAB training, research literacy programmes, health awareness initiatives, shared accountability and meaningful participation.

Together, these efforts create research environments where communities are recognised as equal partners in the pursuit of knowledge and better health outcomes, not as subjects on the sidelines.

By placing communities at the centre of research, ECF contributes to studies that are more ethical, more relevant and more capable of delivering lasting benefits, for individuals, for communities, for health systems and for generations to come.