Traditional-healer and Resident Action for Communication and Engagement in Rabies Control in Uganda

Cooperating countries: Uganda and Austria

Coordinating institution: University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Sonja Hartnack sonja.hartnack@vetmeduni.ac.at 

Partner institutions: Makerere University

Project duration: 

Budget: EUR 38.340

Abstract: 

Rabies remains a preventable, yet fatal zoonotic disease that continues to disproportionately affect rural communities in Uganda, where traditional healers and community leaders often play a central role in health-seeking behavior. Despite recent progress in Integrated Bite Case Management (IBCM) and digital innovations such as REACT app, implementation gaps persist, particularly where communities first consult traditional healers instead of formal health services. These gaps undermine timely post-exposure prophylaxis, limit surveillance, and impede progress toward the global zero by 30 target.

The TRACER project (Traditional-healer and Resident Action for Communication and Engagement in Rabies in Uganda) introduces an innovative, transdisciplinary approach to strengthen communitydriven rabies control. Building on the long-standing collaboration between team members and insights from ongoing rabies research, TRACER focuses on co-creating a culturally sensitive communication strategy with traditional healers, community leaders, animal and human health professionals.

The project will use qualitative methodologies (key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory workshops) to explore local beliefs, perceptions, and practices surrounding dog bites, integrated bite-case management (IBCM), first aid, and healthcare-seeking. It will examine how traditional healers and community structures can support, rather than hinder, IBCM and digital surveillance systems. Findings will directly inform the co-development of a communication concept tailored to local realities, ensuring respectful integration of traditional and biomedical perspectives. 

TRACER will generate two peer-reviewed publications, strengthen capacity among young researchers and deliver a practical communication tool ready for implementation in two endemic districts. The project through transformation of traditional healers from perceived barriers into empowered partners, offers an innovative, scalable model that can accelerate rabies elimination efforts across the country and the region, while advancing SDG 3, 4 and 17.