Health and harmony: a collaborative knowledge-exchange platform for equitable health systems strengthening in the Khayelitsha and Eastern Substructure, Western Cape, South Africa
1
School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
2
SAMRC/UWC Health Services to Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
3
Khayelitsha Eastern Substructure, Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, Cape Town, South Africa
4
Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1282
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Substantial contextual knowledge and innovation exist within local health systems, particularly among frontline healthcare workers and communities most affected by health inequities. However, research conducted within these settings is often externally driven, with limited feedback, dissemination, or translation back to local stakeholders. This perpetuates a gap between knowledge generation and the potential impact of service delivery, undermining equity-oriented health system strengthening.
METHODS:
South Africa’s Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness’ Khayelitsha and Eastern Substructure (KESS) partnered with the University of the Western Cape to design and coordinate all elements of a one-day public health research conference. The conference aimed to promote bidirectional knowledge exchange between researchers, service providers, and community stakeholders. Submitted abstracts were peer-reviewed by academics and senior clinicians working in KESS. A post-event evaluation was distributed onsite and via email to all registered attendees.
RESULTS:
The conference was hosted at the University of the Western Cape on 31 October 2025, with 196 official attendees, including 82 healthcare workers, 66 staff and students from academic institutions, and 36 representatives from non-governmental organizations. A total of 59 abstracts were submitted, of which 54.2% (n=32) were accepted for oral presentation. An additional two were allocated time during the closing plenary to present on upcoming research. Post-event evaluation responses (n=75) indicated that program content was excellent (n=43, 57.3%), good (n=30, 40.0%) or fair (n=2, 2.7%). Overall, nearly all respondents (n=72, 96.0%) reported an improved understanding of ongoing research within KESS.
CONCLUSIONS:
The event demonstrated a scalable, equity-oriented model for locally relevant, intersectoral knowledge exchange. Continued iteration of this model has the potential to strengthen community–academic–government partnerships that advance progress toward health equity.
Substantial contextual knowledge and innovation exist within local health systems, particularly among frontline healthcare workers and communities most affected by health inequities. However, research conducted within these settings is often externally driven, with limited feedback, dissemination, or translation back to local stakeholders. This perpetuates a gap between knowledge generation and the potential impact of service delivery, undermining equity-oriented health system strengthening.
METHODS:
South Africa’s Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness’ Khayelitsha and Eastern Substructure (KESS) partnered with the University of the Western Cape to design and coordinate all elements of a one-day public health research conference. The conference aimed to promote bidirectional knowledge exchange between researchers, service providers, and community stakeholders. Submitted abstracts were peer-reviewed by academics and senior clinicians working in KESS. A post-event evaluation was distributed onsite and via email to all registered attendees.
RESULTS:
The conference was hosted at the University of the Western Cape on 31 October 2025, with 196 official attendees, including 82 healthcare workers, 66 staff and students from academic institutions, and 36 representatives from non-governmental organizations. A total of 59 abstracts were submitted, of which 54.2% (n=32) were accepted for oral presentation. An additional two were allocated time during the closing plenary to present on upcoming research. Post-event evaluation responses (n=75) indicated that program content was excellent (n=43, 57.3%), good (n=30, 40.0%) or fair (n=2, 2.7%). Overall, nearly all respondents (n=72, 96.0%) reported an improved understanding of ongoing research within KESS.
CONCLUSIONS:
The event demonstrated a scalable, equity-oriented model for locally relevant, intersectoral knowledge exchange. Continued iteration of this model has the potential to strengthen community–academic–government partnerships that advance progress toward health equity.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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