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Mak Launches COVID Convalescent Plasma Investigational New Drug and Trial

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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. First reported in early December 2019 in Wuhan China, it has since spread across all continents. Over 21 million cases have been reported, and more than 700,000 deaths have been recorded. The first case of COVID-19 in Uganda was reported on 21st March, 2020 and since then, more than 5,000 cases have been reported, with more than 60 deaths recorded.

There is no vaccine available for COVID-19, and treatments are only starting to emerge. There is emerging evidence to support use of COVID Convalescent Plasma (CCP) for treatment of COVID-19 especially among severe and critical patients. Plasma is the straw colored liquid portion of blood that remains after red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other cellular components of blood are removed.

Wednesday, September 16th 2020 was yet another day of great achievement to Makerere University in Kampala Uganda. On this day, Uganda’s Minister of Health; Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng officially launched the Uganda Coronavirus Convalescent Plasma Investigational New Drug and the CCP trial to assess the safety and efficacy of CCP in treatment of COVID 19 in Uganda. The launch was held at Makerere University’s Main Hall. Prof. William Bazeyo, the session chair and also Principal Investigator of the project gave welcome remarks on behalf of Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor. He thanked the government of the Republic of Uganda for funding this project and several others (now totaling to over 500 multidisciplinary projects) through Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (MAK-RIF) https://rif.mak.ac.ug/ . He also thanked Hon. Dr. Aceng who graced the occasion as Chief Guest for the continued support from the Ministry. He ended by assuring the Hon. Minister that Makerere University Medical School is working hard to become number one in Africa after being ranked second for so long. He noted this was possible with more support from the Government of the Republic of Uganda.

L-R: Ag. Principal CHS-Prof. Kajja Isaac, Prof. William Bazeyo, UPDF Chief of Medical Services-Dr. Ambrose Musinguzi, UPDF Physician-Dr. John Lusiba, Dr. Bruce Kirenga (Right) and another official at the CCP Launch
L-R: Ag. Principal CHS-Prof. Kajja Isaac, Prof. William Bazeyo, UPDF Chief of Medical Services-Dr. Ambrose Musinguzi, UPDF Physician-Dr. John Lusiba, Dr. Bruce Kirenga (Right) and another official at the CCP Launch

Dr. Bruce Kirenga; the Director Makerere University Lung Institute http://mli.mak.ac.ug and also Principal Investigator of this project mentioned that despite evidence of possible efficacy of CCP in treatment of COVID-19, very few African countries have undertaken the collection and processing of CCP. He mentioned the aim of the project was to assess the feasibility of collecting, processing and storing of CCP for treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda. He emphasized the need to collaborate and collate all the related scientific facts throughout the collection, processing and storage of Convalescent Plasma.

The team approached COVID-19 recovered individuals who had been managed and discharged at the treatment centers across the country. To be included, participants needed to provide written informed consent, have documented evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection by PCR, have documented evidence of full recovery from COVID-19, be at least 18 years old and meet all criteria for blood donation set by Uganda National Blood Transfusion Services in order to be eligible.

Dr. Bruce Kirenga said 87% of the 186 individuals who came to the center, qualified to donate. The donors were received from all regions of Uganda except Karamoja that had not registered an infection by commencement of the study. The median age of the donors was 33 years and 3.7% were females. A significant finding was that all the samples donated had enough antibodies to warrant use in treatment of COVID-19 patients.

The Minister of Health-Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng washes her hands after the launch on 16th September 2020 using the Touchless Handwashing Kit (TW-20) developed with support from the Government of Uganda through Mak-RIF
The Minister of Health-Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng washes her hands after the launch on 16th September 2020 using the Touchless Handwashing Kit (TW-20) developed with support from the Government of Uganda through Mak-RIF

In her address, Hon. Dr. Aceng thanked the scientists for the innovation and gave the green light to commence the CCP trial with immediate effect, now that the product was available. The Minister appealed to the general public to continue observing the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures as scientists continue to innovate, find treatment and cure for the deadly virus. She said the country had reached phase 4 of the pandemic and the virus was now killing on average 2-3 people a day. This she noted was indicative of widespread community transmission of COVID-19 meaning that the spread can no longer be controlled but can only be mitigated. She emphasized that COVID-19 in Uganda is real so anything proven that can be done to save life is highly welcome and appreciated.

The project was conducted by COVID Research (COVIDRES); a multi-disciplinary research group coordinated by the Makerere University Lung Institute (http://mli.mak.ac.ug). Other partners on the project are: Uganda People’s Defense Forces Medical Services, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Joint Clinical Research Center and Uganda Blood Transfusion Services. The team is now moving forward to undertaking the CCP trial.

Project details are shared and accessible here

Media Coverage of the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Investigational Drug launch

Broadcast Media

  1. NTV Uganda https://youtu.be/31DM3zeJqdM

Print Media

  1. The Independent https://www.independent.co.ug/makerere-scientists-big-move-on-covid-19-treatment/
  2. Makerere University Vice Chancellor’s Diary https://news.mak.ac.ug/2020/09/launching-covid-19-convalescent-plasma-drug/
  3. Uganda Update https://www.ugandaupdatenews.com/uganda-starts-plasma-based-treatment-trial-for-covid-19/
  4. The New Vision of September 17, 2020 page 3-See attached
  5. Daily Monitor of September 17, 2020 page 3-See attached

Pictures shared on https://we.tl/t-T99Kxua9nl

‘We Build for the Future’ ‘For God and My Country’

Compiled By: Musoki Walter Jack, 3rd Year Medicine and Surgery Student at Makerere University and

Harriet Adong, Communications Officer, Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF)

Mark Wamai

Health

MakSPH METS 2024 Annual Report

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Cover image of the MakSPH METS 2024 Annual Report featuring The U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. William W. Popp, Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and other officials. Photo: METS. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) Program, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

I am pleased to present our annual report. Throughout the past year, MakSPH-METS Program has remained steadfast in its mission to strengthen Uganda’s capacity for HIV and TB programming through strengthening robust health information systems, surveillance, and quality improvement initiatives.

MakSPH leverages its team of expertise in public health to guide program strategies, strengthen national capacity for data collection, analysis, and use. The innovations developed are solutions for health system challenges and they generate evidence that can be used to inform policy and practice.

MakSPH-METS provides technical support to MoH, RRHs, implementing partners at different health system levels.

Our collaborative approach, working closely with the Government of Uganda and various stakeholders, has enabled us to make significant strides in building sustainable health information systems and improvingthe quality of healthcare delivery. The achievements highlighted in this report reflect our commitment to strengthen health systems through development and implementation of innovative and impactful evidence- based solutions.

As we look to the future, I am confident that the METS Program will continue to play a pivotal role in strengthening Uganda’s health systems through several initiatives.

  1. Operationalising a sustainability plan through transitioning of the developed innovations to the Ministry of Health for ownership.
  2. Disease outbreak management will be strengthened through continued capacity building for emergency response and optimization of existing integrated disease surveillance systems. The field teams will facilitate seamless coordination across health system levels to build sustainable and resilient health systems capable of effectively responding to public health emergencies.
  3. Lastly, we continue to strengthen collaboration with government, enhance coordination with implementing partners and promoting integration of health services.

Our dedicated team of professionals, combined with the unwavering support from our partners and stakeholders, positions us well to address emerging health challenges and advance our nation’s public health goals. The innovative solutions and capacity-building initiatives highlighted in this report demonstrate not only our progress but also our potential for greater impact in the years ahead.

Professor Rhoda Wanyenze
Dean – School of Publc Health, Makerere University

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KeyScope Project Job Advert: Junior Research Fellow

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Part of the team at the Makerere University Biomedical Engineering Unit under the Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences (CHS), Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Background

Makerere University Biomedical Engineering Unit under the Department of Physiology is glad to advertise for positions under its new Project ‘KeyScope Project: The Key to Sustainable Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in Uganda.”

Laparoscopic surgery is considered as the standard of care for cancer treatment in high-income countries. However, this technology is rarely accessible to LMICs due to the high cost of installment, lack of maintenance personnel, unreliable electricity, and shortage of consumable supplies. To address these concerns, a unique multidisciplinary collaboration between engineers, surgeons, oncologists, and business experts from Duke University, Makerere University, Uganda Cancer Institute and University of Maryland joined efforts to develop a low-cost, durable laparoscopic system (KeySuite) for use in resource- constrained environments.

Our aims are aligned to demonstrating the local capacity to manufacture, acquire local and international regulatory approval, determine clinical performance and distribute/sell the KeyScope to the local market. Specifically, we shall improve the current design and determine the local capacity to manufacture the device, establish the clinical safety and acceptability of the product, and obtain regulatory approval from local and international accredited bodies.

Position: Junior Research Fellow

Reports to: Project Coordinator

Engagement: Full time

Duration: 1 year renewable upon satisfactory performance

Duty Station: Kampala

Roles and responsibilities

As a trainee, a Junior Research Fellow will closely work with a research team to undergo training design, manufacturing and validation of the KeyScope. This is a non-degree/no-credit training opportunity that will prepare the successful candidate for advanced studies and future industry work in an upcoming medical technology sector of Uganda and Africa at large.

Specifically the Fellow will;

  1. Participate in the local construction of the KeyScope through material assessment and selection, developing a product manufacturing plan, and carrying out an impact assessment.
  2. Aid in the establishment of clinical safety and acceptability of the KeyScope through the use of a feasibility study to secure approvals, recruit patients and surgeons.
  3. Contribute to the process of attaining regulatory approval from a certified body for the KeyScope.
  4. Contribute to the development of a commercialization plan under training and mentorship of a Business Developer.
  5. Actively engage in project documentation, questionnaire and ethics protocol development, journal article writing and publication, report writing.
  6. Conduct key informant interviews, administer questionnaires, and verbatim transcription of interview recordings.
  7. Participate in data collection and analysis using digital and paper-based tools.
  8. Participate and contribute to teaching and student mentorship.
  9. Engage with the research partners and stakeholders.
  10. Any other activities as assigned by the Principal Investigator, and Project Coordinator (Immediate Supervisor) from time to time.

Qualifications:

  1. Completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering or any closely related field and at least awaiting graduation in not more than 6 months from an accredited University in Uganda.
  2. If completed, candidate must not have graduated more than 1 year ago.
  3. Academic qualifications of having attained or expecting at least expecting a second-class upper division degree.
  4. Experience in Human-Centered Design skills and Design Thinking will be highly considered.
  5. Prior experience in working with international multidisciplinary teams and organizations.
  6. Experience of previous work on laparoscopy is a plus.
  7. Evidence of prior interest for research, design, innovation and medical device manufacturing.
  8. Applicant should have a desire to work with different fabrication techniques.
  9. Ability to multitask and perform duties in learning environment with minimum supervision
  10. Excellent scientific writing skills and a good command of communication skills.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates should submit a one-page cover letter, one-page writing sample, CV (maximum 3 pages) with relevant certificates, transcripts & two reference letters as a single digitally signed PDF file addressed to the Project PI and emailed to keyscopeu01@gmail.com by 17:00hours on 18th April 2025. Indicate, “KeyScope Project” in the subject line. Those awaiting graduation should send their most recent testimonials. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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Karolinska’s Department of Global Public Health Admins Visit MakSPH

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Therese Lind, Head of Administration at Karolinska Institutet (KI)’s Department of Global Public Health (3rd Right) with the delegation and staff from MakSPH during the visit on 24th March 2025. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) hosting delegation from Karolinska Institutet (KI) Department of Global Public Health led by Therese Lind, head of administration for a two-day administrative exchange, part of 25 years of a flourishing partnership, 23rd-24th March 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) is honored to host a distinguished delegation from Karolinska Institutet (KI) for a two-day administrative exchange, part of our 25 years of a flourishing partnership between Makerere University (Mak) and Karolinska Institutet.

Fostering Administrative Synergies

The visiting team, led by Therese Lind, head of administration at KI’s Department of Global Public Health, comprising HR specialist Sofia Öhlund-Fingal, Sonia Hammi, project manager, Kseniya Hartvigsson, communications officer CESH, and Anna Hansson, project manager, Grants Office—engaged in:

  • Discussions on research administration and financial management
  • Knowledge sharing on operational challenges and best practices
  • Exploring funding opportunities with major donors

The visit covered grants management, procurement, financial systems, and joint application strategies to enhance efficiency and academic exchanges. The team also toured key university facilities, including the historic Main Building, the state-of-the-art MakSPH auditorium, and the construction site, to witness the institution’s growth.

A Legacy of Collaboration

Since 2000, this partnership, Mak-KI, has yielded:

  • 49 PhD graduates through the Sida-supported doctoral program
  • Reciprocal exchanges benefiting 254 students and 153 faculty members
  • ⁣The Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Health, established during the pandemic

This visit reinforces our commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and driving impactful research. We extend our sincere appreciation to the KI team and look forward to continued collaboration.

Davidson Ndyabahika

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