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IDI supports Rakai COVID-19 Taskforce

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Dr. Mohammed Lamorde, the head of the Global Health Security Programme at the Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) accompanied Dr. Allan Muruta the Commissioner Integrated Epidemiology, Surveillance and Public Health Emergencies, Ministry of Health (MOH) on a two-day support supervision visit to Rakai district last week. IDI recently joined Rakai Health Services Program (RHSP), another Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-supported implementing partner to work in the region on COVID-19 surveillance. IDI has since mentored 651 VHTs in COVID-19 surveillance for Rakai and Kyotera districts.

Fourteen Task Force members in Kyotera district were also trained and an alert management system established.

Christine Zawedde, the Kyotera cluster coordinator from RHSP, said three out of four districts in her cluster have reported local transmission.

The district leadership was advised that all the measures by partners are aimed at keeping the pandemic at bay until a vaccine has been discovered and rolled out. Rakai's borders with Tanzania are porous and community transmission remains an imminent threat to the work done so far by the COVID-19 task force.

The district task force was lauded for promptness in diagnosis, which was said to be the reason Uganda has continued to present good reports in comparison to her neighbours. The team was encouraged to continue strengthening the COVID-19 surveillance and create a buffer of the region.

Dr. Lamorde encouraged the task force to engage the Call for Life Interactive Voice Response (IVR) programme run by the Academy for Health Innovation within IDI for patients who have been released from quarantine.

“The system helps with triage as only the clients who are in the most danger or present a risk to the community will be followed up by health workers. This will help solve the issue of transportation to monitor clients after release,” he said.

As part of the national response in the fight against COVID-19 in Uganda, the Academy for Health Innovation is working tirelessly through a partnership between IDI and MOH. Through this agreement, a team of software engineers and medical professionals have developed a pilot project that will facilitate the management of the large numbers of COVID-19 patients. This pilot project is an adaptation of the Call forLife (C4Life) project that has successfully facilitated the management of Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS patients. It uses basic mobile phones (Katorch) through a voice automated call system known as IVR; a computer assisted patient management system. It is accessible, easy to use and has the potential to be widely applicable. lt is an intelligent technological health innovation that supports front line workers to track all COVID-19 patients; these include recovered patients, those that have left quarantine and contacts of the patients.

MOH is already tracking over 240 people who have completed their mandatory quarantine using this system. These individuals have begun receiving these voice automated calls to monitor their conditions such that they can self-evaluate and report any symptoms.

By Tracy Ahumuza, Corporate Communications Specialist, IDI

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Call For Applications: Masters Support in Self-management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden

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An aerial photo of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University showing Left to Right: The Sir Albert Cook Memorial Library, School of Biomedical Sciences, Davies Lecture Theatre, School of Public Health, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital (MSWNH)-Background Left and Nakasero Hill-Background Right, Kampala Uganda.

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences & Case Western Reserve University, partnering with Mbarara University of science and Technology are implementing a five-year project, “Self-management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden Among Adult Ugandans with Epilepsy”.

The program is funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). One aspect of the program is to provide advanced degree training to qualified candidates with an interest in pursuing clinical and research careers in Epilepsy. We are aiming at growing epilepsy research capacity including self-management approaches in SSA.

The Project is soliciting for applications for Masters Research thesis support focusing on epilepsy related research at Makerere University and Mbarara University, cohort 1, 2024/2025.

Selection criteria

  • Should be a Masters’ student of the following courses; MMED in Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Public Health, Master of Health Services Research, MSc. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Nursing or Masters in the Basic Sciences (Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry or any other related field).
  • Should have completed at least one year of their Masters training in the courses listed above.
  • Demonstrated interest in Epilepsy and Neurological diseases, care and prevention and commitment to develop and maintain a productive career and devoted to Epilepsy, Clinical Practice and Prevention.

Research Programs

The following are the broad Epilepsy research priority areas (THEMES) and applicants are encouraged to develop research concepts in the areas of; Applicants are not limited to these themes; they can propose other areas.

  • The epidemiology of Epilepsy and associated risk factors.
  • Determining the factors affecting the quality of life, risk factors and outcomes (mortality, morbidity) for Epilepsy, epilepsy genetics, and preventive measures among adults.
  • Epilepsy in childhood and its associated factors, preventative measures etc.
  • Epilepsy epidemiology and other Epilepsy related topics.
  • Epilepsy interventions and rehabilitation

In addition to a formal masters’ program, trainees will receive training in bio-ethics, Good Clinical Practice, behavioral sciences research, data and statistical analysis and research management.

The review criteria for applicants will be as follows:

  • Relevance to program objectives
  • Quality of research and research project approach
  • Feasibility of study
  • Mentors and mentoring plan; in your mentoring plan, please include who are the mentors, what training they will provide and how often they propose to meet with the candidate.
  • Ethics and human subjects’ protection.

Application Process

Applicants should submit an application letter accompanied with detailed curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters from Professional referees or mentors and a 2-page concept or an approved full proposal describing your project and addressing Self-Management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden Among Adult or epilepsy related problem.

A soft copy should be submitted to the Administrator, Reducing Epilepsy Burden Project.  Email: smireb2@gmail.com; Closing date for the Receipt of applications is 1st July 2024.

For more information, inquiries and additional advice on developing concepts, please contact the following:

Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Prof. Mark Kaddumukasa:  kaddumark@yahoo.co.uk

Mbarara University

Ms. Josephine N Najjuma: najjumajosephine@yahoo.co.uk

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for Interviews.

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Call For Applications: Masters Support in Brain Health

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Artistic illustration of Medical Science at the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), Research Training and mentorship to strengthen brain health program is a five-year project, funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the Fogarty International Center (FIC). The Major goal is to strengthen brain health research through multidisciplinary training and build a sustainable faculty and institutional capacity for research to improve brain health across the Lifespan in Uganda.

The Project is soliciting for applications for Master’s training support in Brain Health-related research at Makerere University/UMU, 5th Cohort, 2024/2025.

Selection criteria

  • Should be a Masters’ student of the following courses; MMED in Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Surgery and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Public Health, Master of Health Services Research, MSc. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Nursing or Masters in the Basic Sciences (Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry or any other related field at Makerere University/UMU.
  • Should have completed at least one year of their Masters training in the courses listed above and ready to start their thesis development.
  • Proof of admission onto a master’s program at Makerere or UMU
  • Research work should be related to their selected research area in brain health
  • A letter of support from a mentor and another letter from the department committing to give the candidate protected time to study.
  • Demonstrated interest in Brain Health and Neurological diseases, care and prevention and commitment to develop and maintain a productive career and devoted to Brain Health, Clinical Practice and Prevention.

Research Programs

The following are the broad Brain Health Research priority areas (THEMES) and applicants are encouraged to develop research concepts in the areas of; Meningitis, encephalitis, traumatic brain injury, seizures/ epilepsy, neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD, Autism, cerebral palsy, mental health disorders, stroke, dementias, Parkinson’s disease and nerve disorders plus “other brain-related topics”

In addition to a formal masters’ program, trainees will receive training in bio-ethics, Implementation science, behavioral sciences research, qualitative and quantitative research methodology, data analysis and research management.

The review criteria for applicants will be as follows:

  • Relevance to program objectives
  • Quality of research and research project approach
  • Feasibility of study
  • Mentors and mentoring plan; in your Mentoring plan, please include who are the proposed mentors, what training they will provide and how often they propose to meet with the candidate.
  • Ethics and human subjects’ protection.

Application Process

Applicants should submit an application letter accompanied with a detailed curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters from Professional referees or mentors and a 2-page concept or approved full proposal addressing a brain health or neurological disease related problem.

A soft copy should be submitted to the Training Coordinator, Brain Health Project.

Email: brainhealthtraining@gmail.com.

Closing date for the Receipt of applications is 10th June 2024.

For more information, inquiries and additional advice on developing concepts, please contact the following:

Prof. Elly Katabira, katabira@infocom.co.ug;

Dr. Mark Kaddumukasa. kaddumark@yahoo.co.uk

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for Interviews

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Call For Applications: Masters Support in Reducing Stroke Risk Factors

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The Dean’s Gardens with Davies Lecture Theatre (Right), College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Mulago Hill, Kampala Uganda on a bright sunny day. East Africa

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Case Western Reserve University, partnering with Mbarara University of Science and Technology are implementing a five-year project, “A targeted self-management Intervention for Reducing Stroke Risk Factors in High Risk Ugandans”.

The program is funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). One aspect of the program is to provide advanced degree training to qualified candidates with an interest in pursuing clinical and research careers in Stroke. Trainees will be expected to develop and maintain a productive career devoted to Stroke Research, Clinical Practice, and Prevention. We are aiming at growing Research Capacity in Stroke Risk Reduction and training the next generation of Stroke health in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Project is soliciting for applications for Masters Research thesis support in stroke-related research at Makerere University and Mbarara University, cohort 5, 2024/2025.

Selection criteria

  • Should be a Masters’ student of the following courses; MMED in Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Public Health, Master of Health Services Research, MSc. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Nursing or Masters in the Basic Sciences (Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry or any other related field).
  • Should have completed at least one year of their Masters training in the courses listed above.
  • Demonstrated interest in Stroke and Neurological diseases, care and prevention and commitment to develop and maintain a productive career and devoted to Stroke, Clinical Practice and Prevention.

Research Programs

The following are the broad brain health research priority areas (THEMES) and applicants are encouraged to develop research concepts in the areas of; Applicants are not limited to these themes, they can propose other areas.

  • The epidemiology of Stroke and associated risk factors.
  • Stroke risk factors and outcomes (mortality, morbidity) for stroke, stroke genetics, and preventive measures in among adults.
  • Stroke in childhood and its associated factors, preventative measures etc.
  • Stroke epidemiology and other stroke related topics.
  • Stroke interventions and rehabilitation

In addition to a formal masters’ program, trainees will receive training in bio-ethics, Good Clinical Practice, behavioral sciences research, data and statistical analysis and research management.

The review criteria for applicants will be as follows:

  • Relevance to program objectives
  • Quality of research and research project approach
  • Feasibility of study
  • Mentors and mentoring plan; in your mentoring plan, please include who are the mentors, what training they will provide and how often they propose to meet with the candidate.
  • Ethics and human subjects’ protection.

Application Process

Applicants should submit an application letter accompanied with a detailed curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters from Professional referees or mentors and a 2-page concept or an approved full proposal describing your project and addressing Stroke Risk Factors or a stroke related problem.

A soft copy should be submitted to the Training Coordinator, Reducing Stroke Project.

Email: reducingstroke@gmail.com. The closing date for the Receipt of applications is 10th June 2024.

For more information, inquiries, and additional advice on developing concepts, please contact the following:

Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Prof. Elly Katabira: katabira@infocom.co.ug

Dr. Mark Kaddumukasa:  kaddumark@yahoo.co.uk

Mbarara University

Ms. Josephine N Najjuma: najjumajosephine@yahoo.co.uk

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for Interviews.

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