African health sciences
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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.
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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.
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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.
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African health sciences · Aug 2022
Makerere's contribution to the development of a high impact HIV research population-based cohort in the Rakai Region, Uganda.
Longitudinal population-based cohort studies can provide critical insights on temporal, spatial and sociodemographic changes in health status and health determinants that are not obtained by other study designs. However, establishing and maintaining such a cohort study can be challenging and expensive. Here, we describe the role of Makerere University in the development and conduct of such a cohort. We chronicle the first academia-led reports of HIV in East Africa; how this led to initiation of the Rakai Community Cohort Study in 1988, the first and oldest HIV cohort in sub-Saharan Africa; its impact on HIV prevention, care and treatment; how the cohort has been maintained; and opportunities, challenges, and future directions including non-communicable diseases.