University of Cape Town

Dr. Abenezer Dereje is a medical doctor and health researcher dedicated to improving health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). She is a clinical researcher whose work spans both communicable and non-communicable diseases, with a special focus on translating research into clinically impactful public health strategies.

Her MPhil research under the AMARI-II fellowship focuses on evaluating the role of common mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, in the development and progression of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension, which remain under-resourced and overlooked in public health planning. She is driven by a deep interest in understanding how underdiagnosed and untreated mental health issues contribute to the growing burden within LMIC health systems. Through her research, she aims to inform policy and promote investment in integrated, person-centered care. Her work emphasizes the urgent need to bridge the gap between mental and physical health care and to strengthen health systems in LMICs through sustainable, evidence-based interventions.