African health sciences
-
African health sciences · Aug 2022
Tracing Makerere University's 100 years' contribution to lung science/medicine.
Dear Editor, African Health Sciences Journal, This year, 2022, Makerere University will be celebrating 100 years of existence. As current lung science/medicine experts, we felt it as important to trace the University's contribution to lung science and medicine. In this letter, we trace and describe some of the early work done by Makerere University/Mulago Hospital affiliated scientists, identify prominent players in lung science over the 100 years, and present the university's scholarly contribution to this field, as available in online databases. We include both Makerere University and Mulago Hospital affiliated scientists, because for many years, staff of these two institutions have worked together in teaching, research and patient care.
-
African health sciences · Aug 2022
Makerere University-Uganda Heart Institute collaborative cardiovascular disease training and research since 1988.
Makerere University College of Health Sciences has been collaborating with the Uganda Heart Institute to build capacity for research, training and clinical care in cardiovascular medicine for the last 34 years to appropriately respond to rising societal needs for advanced cardiovascular care which was lacking before this period. ⋯ Clinical centres of excellence in specialised fields of health care, such as the Uganda Heart Institute for Cardiology, provide a conducive academic environment for MakCHS clinical scientists to provide high quality evidence-based care to meet societal needs.
-
African health sciences · Aug 2022
Twenty years of Prevention of Mother to Child HIV Transmission: research to implementation at a national referral hospital in Uganda.
Over 90% of new paediatric HIV infections are acquired through mother to child transmission. Prevention of mother to child HIV transmission (PMTCT) research in sub-Saharan Africa informed WHO guidelines which enabled implementation of PMTCT programs globally. ⋯ Perinatal HIV prevention clinical trials conducted at MU-JHU provided evidence to inform WHO PMTCT guidelines. MNRH program evaluation demonstrated the significant decline in MTCT rates over the last two decades.
-
African health sciences · Aug 2022
Longitudinal patients' cohorts for impactful research and HIV care at the Infectious Diseases Institute.
Observational studies provide important evidence supporting the feasibility and effectiveness of health interventions. The 20-year-old Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) established to respond to infectious diseases, specifically HIV/AIDS, invested in the set-up of longitudinal cohorts. In this paper we discuss the results of these cohorts and their impact on the response to the HIV pandemic in Uganda. ⋯ Cohorts provide a platform for clinical care, training, and research to inform strategic responses and put Makerere University at the center of the response to the HIV pandemic in the region.
-
African health sciences · Aug 2022
Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University College of Health Sciences: a case study of a sustainable capacity building model for health care, research and training.
The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), established in 2001, was the first autonomous institution of Makerere University set up as an example of what self-governing institutes can do in transforming the academic environment to become a rapidly progressive University addressing the needs of society This paper describes the success factors and lessons learned in development of sustainable centers of excellence to prepare academic institutions to respond appropriately to current and future challenges to global health. Key success factors included a) strong collaboration by local and international experts to combat the HIV pandemic, along with b) seed funding from Pfizer Inc., c) longstanding collaboration with Accordia Global Health Foundation to create and sustain institutional strengthening programs, d) development of a critical mass of multi-disciplinary research leaders and managers of the center, and e) a series of strong directors who built strong governance structures to execute the vision of the institute, with subsequent transition to local leadership.