Family Health Research and Development Centre has been launched in Kasangati with a call on the Kasangati community to utilize such centers that offer free services to them. The call was made by the Vice Chancellor, Makerere University Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu while officially launching the centre on 14-09-2012 at Kasangati.
The Centre will provide capacity building for Makerere University staff in various aspects of research management, as well as provision of services to communities in partnership with the Kasangati Health Centre.
In his speech Professor Ddumba-Ssentamu noted that the launch is in line with the three core mandates of Makerere University namely teaching and learning; research; and knowledge transfer partnerships and networking. He said that as Makerere University celebrates its 90th anniversary, the College of Health Sciences and its constituent schools, have continued to conduct research aimed at improving the health sector at both national and international levels.
The Vice Chancellor further notes that the increased utilization of the Kasangati facilities by the School of Public Health strengthens the linkages between research and community service, and keeps Makerere relevant to the communities it exists to serve.
The Deputy Principal, Prof. Celestino Obua represented the Principal College of Health Sciences, Professor Nelson Sewankambo at the function.
in his speech, The Principal, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Professor Nelson Sewankambo noted that Makerere is by all measures a very progressive university with increasing research output that has continued to impact the health sector on the local and international scene. He said the launch of the FHRDC is a milestone and pledged to ensure that it becomes relevant to the community.
Professor Sewankambo called upon institutions of higher learning in Uganda, led by Makerere to work hard to tackle the challenges of rapid population growth, high fertility and teenage pregnancies.
The Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health, Associate Professor William Bazeyo, said that the centre will be involved in implementational research, which means that the community neighbouring the centre will be directly benefiting from the services.
The event was preceded by a dialogue with Members of Parliament belonging to the Forum on Food Security and Population.
Story by: Milly Nattimba, Communication Officer, College of Health Sciences