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Mak Staff Vaccination for COVID-19 Kicks Off

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By Judith Grace Amoit, Brenda Namata & Davidson Ndyabahika

Rev Canon Diana Nkesiga Priest in charge of Kabanyolo receives her COVID-19 Jab
Rev Canon Diana Nkesiga Priest in charge of Kabanyolo receives her COVID-19 Jab

Makerere University through the University Hospital has today March 26, 2021, rolled out vaccination of its staff.

This is also in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, Kampala Capital City Authority -KCCA and World Health Organization -WHO, starting with staff from the College of Health Sciences and administrative units at the University Hospital. The exercise is deemed to occur between 9:00 AM and 03:00 PM.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, upon receiving his jab, urged all staff to get the vaccination and affirmed its safety.

Nawangwe
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University receive his COVID-19 jab at Makerere University Hospital on Friday March 26, 2021. Photo by Davidson Ndyabahika.

 “I have just received the first Jab for COVID-19 vaccine here at the Makerere University Hospital. I want to assure all Makerere Community, all Ugandans that the Vaccine is safe,” Professor Nawangwe said after receiving the jab.

“Please make sure that you get your jab if you are in the priority group because this is the only opportunity you have to ensure that you are protected. Please come according to the schedule that you have received,” he added.

Dr. Josaphat Byamugisha, Associate Professor and Director of University Hospital upon receiving his jab also appealed to staff to heed the call and take the chance to receive the vaccine.

Byamugisha
Dr. Josaphat Byamugisha, Associate Professor and Director of University Hospital receives his Jab. 

According to Dr. Byamugisha, Makerere University Hospital has received 500 Jabs to kick-start the process. He says they intend to vaccinate all the 3,150 Makerere University staff.

“I want to encourage the University community to come and get the vaccine. The information available is that this vaccine is safe and it is going to protect all of us from this severe disease. So it is very important that each one of us endeavors to come and get the vaccine. It is labor-intensive and so we would like people to adhere to the schedule provided,” Dr. Byamugisha said.

The Hospital Director adds that; “We must say we are very grateful to the Ministry of Health, Kampala Capital City Authority, and the WHO whom we are very closely collaborating with in terms of training, vaccinations, and follow-up in case there is any side effects.”

This reassurance informs a public doubt towards the AstraZeneca vaccine following said side effect severity and withdrawal of vaccine uptake by some western countries and African like Congo. The WHO has since cleared the vaccine citing that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh its risks and recommended its continued use.

The Chaplain, St. Francis Chapel, Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe speaking after receiving the jab urged the Christians to embrace the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

IMG Reverand
Chaplain, St. Francis Chapel, Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe receiving his COVID-19 jab. He has urged the Christians to embrace the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Photo/ Davidson Ndyabahika

“I have just received the COVID-19 jab here at Makerere University Hospital. And so far, so good. No immediate reaction. In fact, one of the things, I feared most other than the effects was the pricking of my body but it was done so gently, professionally. So, I want to encourage you friends, St. Franciscans, Makerere University community, and fellow citizens to respond to this call,” Rev. Asiimwe said.

He adds; “You need to be safe. There has been a lot of conspiracy theories about the vaccine but I want to encourage you to take this vaccine and be safe because COVID-19 is an enemy and God has provided a solution through the vaccine. God Bless you and prepare to receive yours.”

As of 24th March 2021, Uganda’s cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases were 40,751. A total of 46,444 vaccinated persons against COVID-19. The Minister for Health, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng says that government plans to cascade this vaccination process until the entire population is covered to prevent severe disease and death.

“We thank the COVAX facility and the Government of India for enabling Uganda to access the initial 964,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. So far, a total of 663,520 doses have been distributed to all districts in the country,” Dr. Aceng noted.

Professor JYT Mugisha, Principal CONAS taking his jab.
Professor JYT Mugisha, Principal CONAS taking a COVID-19 Jab. Photo: Davidson Ndyabahika

The exercise follows a consultative meeting on Friday, March 19, 2021, between Makerere University communications officers, University Hospital representatives, and the Ministry of Health team.

Led by Dr. Driwale Alfred, the assistant Commissioner Vaccines and Immunization (UNEPI), the meeting aimed at developing schedules for the effective rollout across all the nine colleges of the institution.

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Dr. Driwale Alfred, the assistant Commissioner Vaccines and Immunization (UNEPI) presenting a consultative meeting on Friday, March 19, 2021, between Makerere University communications officers, Makerere Hospital staff and Ministry of Health

During the consultative meeting, Dr. Driwale related that Ministry Health had arranged and trained people along local government structure to implement the vaccination activities and to advocate and sensitize leaders and create awareness on COVID-19 vaccination.

‘’We got six members in five teams of vaccinators per district and this is in rural districts, so when it came to Kampala district being more complex, each division in Kampala will have 5 teams of vaccinators and of which Makerere University falls under the Kawempe division”.

He added that Makerere University has got a very big and complex community and therefore two teams had been assigned to Makerere-Mulago hill because of its six and nature.

Communications officers, Mak Hospital staff Being rallied for COVID Vaccination Campaign
Communications Officers, Mak Hospital staff Being rallied for COVID Vaccination Campaign

During the training, Dr. Byamugisha observed that the training on vaccinations was to prepare the community and hospital staff for any possible effects that may develop.

“It’s very important to note that there is a national database for these vaccinations so it is a very well-organized exercise so that if anything happens, it can even be detected very early and will inform the rest of the activities.”

The Ministry of Health developed the vaccination deployment plan to be followed in administering the vaccine, inclusive of teachers and staff in all education institutions – public and private not-for-profit, as well as private for-profit will follow, among the priority categories.

 They estimated to have 550,000 teachers and lecturers who are to be vaccinated against coronavirus and this is a local Government mandate.

Uganda targets to vaccinate 49.6 percent of the population, which is about 21,936,011, in a phased manner. Each phase is planned to cover 20 percent of the population – approximately 4.38 million people.

Also, among those that have so far received their jabs at the Makerere University Hospital are; Dr. Vincent Ssembatya, Director Quality Assurance, Makerere University, Mr. Alfred Masikye Namoah, the Academic Registrar, Dr. Helen Byamugisha, Associate Professor and University Librarian, Mr. Godwin Okiror, Human Resources Officer MakCHS, among others.

According to a schedule provided by the Makerere University Hospital, the Program for vaccination will runup to April 1st, 2021. Staff from the College of Health Sciences and all administrative units are expected to take their jabs on Friday, March 26, 2021.

On Monday, March 29, 2021 staff from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and BioSecurity (CoVAB), College of Natural Science (CONAS), and Jinja Campus will receive their COVID-19 shots.

Meanwhile, staff from the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT), College of Business and Management Science (CoBAMS), and the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) will receive their COVID-19 jabs on Tuesday, March 30th, 2021.

On Wednesdays March 31st, Colleges of Education and External Studies (CEES) and Agricultural and Environmental Science (CAES) will have their staff vaccinated.

The last day of vaccination for staff according to the hospital schedule is Thursday, April 1st for staff from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) and School of Law.

Article originally published on MakSPH

Mark Wamai

Health

Ugandan sickle cell researchers keep pace with aging patients

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Dr. Sarah Kiguli of Makerere University leads the Fogarty-funded program: Enhancing Research capacity for Sickle Cell Disease and related NCDs across the Lifespan in Uganda (ENRICH).

Article courtesy Fogarty International Center

September/October 2024 | Volume 23 Number 5

Until recently in Uganda, most children with sickle cell disease (SCD) never celebrated their fifth birthday—only 30% lived past this milestone. This low survival rate was mainly due to inadequate health care interventions for these children, plus lack of widespread newborn screening, explains Dr. Sarah Kiguli , a professor at Makerere University College of Health Sciences. Things are different today. Over the past decade, the East African nation has instituted a policy of screening newborns while strengthening strategies to manage their health. This means more children with SCD are growing into adolescence and adulthood.

Challenges still exist, says Kiguli. For example, the community and district facilities where many Ugandan children are born cannot provide comprehensive services, including newborn screening. Another issue: the risk of SCD complications related to kidneys, lungs, heart—almost all organs—grows higher as patients grow older, yet scientific research in Uganda hasn’t caught up with the reality of these longer lives. As a result, teens and adults with SCD don’t get “the care they deserve,” says Kiguli.

“It’s very painful for us pediatricians to see our patients encounter challenges and problems when they transition to adult care.”

Renewed research focus

Despite years devoted to children’s health, Kiguli believes it’s time to prioritize studies exploring appropriate SCD management in teens and adults. “We need solutions that address all the patients’ needs, including reproductive health, as they transition out of childhood.” She’s spearheaded a multidisciplinary research training program for researchers focused on the needs of people with SCD at all ages: Enhancing Research capacity for Sickle Cell Disease and related NCDs across the Lifespan in Uganda (ENRICH).

“Among our PhDs, we don’t have anyone from pediatrics—and that’s fine,” says Kiguli. Importantly, the researchers are trained as a group to amplify the benefits of multidisciplinary collaboration. “We’ve been working in silos—pediatricians alone, physicians alone, social scientists alone—that won’t help us address the comprehensive needs of these patients.”

Methodology has also been given sufficient consideration. “We provide both individual and team mentorship from the beginning,” said Kiguli. Monthly meetings help trainees develop personal development goals and career path plans in the hope they will continue in the field. The program also provides research training to health professionals, such as medical doctors, laboratory personnel, and nurses, who are not necessarily doing degree programs, “so those who manage patients routinely might also benefit,” said Kiguli.

South-to-South unity

For the project, Makerere University has partnered with Busitema University, located in eastern Uganda, where “prevalence of the sickle cell trait is as high as 20%,” says Kiguli. (Sickle cell trait refers to when a person has inherited one mutated allele of the sickle cell gene, not two.) This local prevalence contrasts with about 13% prevalence elsewhere in the country. Studying the disease in a high burden locale is highly relevant, because results may influence policy and treatment guidelines.

Kiguli has other reasons for collaborating with Busitema University, which is less than 15 years old. “We want to build capacity at this young institution since our colleagues there have less chance of doing research than we at Makerere do.” Working and supervising trainees together will give Busitema’s faculty much-needed experience, while providing opportunities for faculty at both universities to learn from each other. Kiguli also hopes the new collaboration will advance progress made as result of the universities’ past partnerships. “Capacity must be built in a sustainable way,” says Kiguli.

“It’s important to work collaboratively and not competitively—this is just as important for Makerere University as it is for Busitema University.”

ENRICH trainees talk about their projects

Dr. Jackline Akello
Photo courtesy of Jackline Akello

Dr. Jackline Akello, PhD candidate

Dr. Jackline Akello, PhD candidate

My project is “Sickle cell disease in pregnancy: Experiences in provision and access to care and adverse pregnancy outcomes at Mbale and Kawempe Referral Hospitals.” As an obstetrician and gynecologist, I work as a lecturer at Makerere University and provide clinical care at the two national referral hospitals. I have encountered significant challenges in managing pregnant women with sickle cell disease (SCD) due to a number of healthcare navigation challenges. Additionally, the diverse cultural beliefs associated with SCD in Uganda affect access to care and ultimately outcome and quality of life for the patient.

By October, I will have started the enrolment of 161 pregnant women with confirmed SCD for my project. These participants will be followed throughout their pregnancies to track maternal and fetal complications, including stillbirths and low birth weight. Their experiences with the healthcare system will also be explored. As a Safe Motherhood champion, I have been focusing on hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, but this October at the Safe Motherhood Conference I will discuss the effects of SCD during pregnancy with the Ministry of Health. One of the endpoints of my study is to improve care for pregnant women who have SCD to enhance their pregnancy experience and outcomes.

Dr. George Paasi
Photo courtesy of George Paasi

Dr. George Paasi, PhD candidate

Dr. George Paasi, PhD candidate

My project is “The Clinical Epidemiology, Spatiotemporal Patterns and Disease Modifiers of Severe Malaria among Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Eastern Uganda.” Uganda ranks fourth among countries with high burden of SCD and is in the top 10 with respect to malaria burden. Eastern Uganda has the highest burden of both diseases. My project addresses this dual burden of SCD and malaria in eastern Uganda—I want to decipher the SCD-malaria syndemic in this region.

I’m a medical doctor, I have a master’s in public health, and I just finished a fellowship in infectious disease, epidemiology, and biostatistics. I’ve worked at Mbale Clinical Research Institute for the last 10 years. Previously, I worked on an NIH-funded trial in Africa called Realizing Effectiveness Across Continents with Hydroxyurea (REACH) as a medical officer, and now I’m embarking on this PhD training. My hope is that the findings from my study will improve the identification of patients with SCD at risk of adverse outcomes when they get malaria. I also want to identify, through spatial temporal analysis, hotspot locations that require priority interventions. I also want to gain skills as an independent researcher in SCD and make a meaningful contribution to this field.

Dr. Anita Arinda
Photo courtesy of Anita Arinda Dr. Anita Arinda, PhD candidate

Dr. Anita Arinda, PhD candidate

My project is “Prevalence, associated factors, course and impact of major depressive disorder in adolescents with SCD in Mulago National Referral Hospital.” We have limited data on mental health of adolescents with SCD, so that’s why my project mainly looks at depression in adolescents (ages 10 to 17).

In our setting, we are fortunate that children with SCD live past their fifth birthday thanks to improved health care, but this presents new challenges. During adolescence, patients enter a crucial stage where they’re trying to develop their identity, yet they’re also beginning to understand the implications of their condition—that having this serious health condition cuts their life short. I want to understand their experiences. How does depression in adolescents with SCD differ from depression in adolescents without SCD? We know that sickle cell disease causes inflammation, so does that contribute to their depression? How does depression affect clinical outcomes, if at all?

If we can understand the underlying mechanisms of depression in teens with SCD, then we might find new ways to manage their care (as opposed to conventional treatment with antidepressants). I’ll do my research at Mulago National Referral Hospital, which has a clinic dedicated to children and teens with sickle cell disease. The clinic provides many services, but unfortunately no specialized mental health services. One day I hope that changes, so that children with SCD and depression can get help early.

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Job Advert: Position of Principal -College of Health Sciences

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Makerere University seeks to fill the position of Principal, College of Health Sciences. The College of Health Sciences is a semi-autonomous academic unit, which consists of Schools, Academic Institutes, Departments and Centers that carry out general and professional training, teaching, outreach and research in various disciplines.

Job description
The Position is a Senior Post in the University created to give leadership to a College of Makerere University.

The Principal is the Chief Administrative, Academic and Financial Officer of the College and is responsible to the Vice Chancellor, University Senate and the University Council for promoting and maintaining academic excellence, efficiency and order of the College.
Eligibility
The person eligible for appointment should possess the following minimum attributes:

  • Hold a PhD or other academic Doctorate in one or more of the disciplines taught at the College;
  • Be at least at the rank of Associate Professor at the time of application;
  • At least four ( 4) years managerial expenence as a Head of an academic Department, Programmes Coordinator or a Research Project Manager in a University, Tertiary Institution or a reputable National Research Institution
  • Teaching experience of at least Six ( 6) years in one of the disciplines offered in the College he/she intends to lead;
  • Applicants who are at the rank of Associate Professor should not be above 61 years at the time of application.
  • Applicants who are at the rank of Professor should not be above 66 years at the time of application
  • Applicants must have demonstrable expenence of networking, research and resource mobilization. Applicants must attach evidence of resource mobilization and research conducted in the last five years.
  • Be a citizen of Uganda.

Tenure
The Principal is appointed to hold office for a term of four years.
Salary: Scale PU3
Mode of application:

i) Interested individuals should submit a letter of application accompanied with Curriculum Vitae, copies of relevant Academic Credentials and naming three referees;

ii) Applicants should make sure that at least two of the three referees have forwarded references concerning their application and suitability by the stated deadline;

iii) The deadline for submission of applications is 7th October 2024 at 5:00p.m.
East African time.

Applications should be submitted to:

The University Secretary
Makerere University
Frank Kalimuzo Building, Study Room 4.1
P.O. Box 7062
Kampala, Uganda
Or search.principals@mak.ac. ug

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IMPACT Program Newsletter Sept. 2024

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A Screenshot of the IMPACT Program Newsletter September 2024. College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

A very special welcome to the first edition of our newsletter of Makerere University’s Impact research capacity building program. The program is funded by a generous grant from the NIH Fogarty International Center to reduce the impact of rheumatic heart disease across all affected ages. For more than a decade Uganda has been at the fore front of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) research in sub-Saharan Africa. Building on that Foundation Makerere University College of Health Sciences decided it was opportune time to strengthen collaboration with Uganda Heart Institute and US partners: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre (CCHMC) and Children’s National Hospital (CNH) to uplift Uganda’s research capacity to innovate and generate knowledge critical for elimination of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in the long run.

Whereas doctoral training of doctors and nurses is the main focus of our capacity strengthening initiatives, other levels are not left behind. Training is concurrently ongoing at master’s degree level and in-service for health professionals to better their research careers. The training spots were nationally advertised publicly and recruitment of trainees was competitive. Major research activities are taking place in rural communities in which rheumatic fever is relatively common. The program puts emphasis on community engagement so that the public can understand the importance and centrality of their actions in the control and elimination of rheumatic fever and achieving better quality of life and survival of those having rheumatic heart disease and its complications. The program pays special attention to gender issues in the research we do.

Prof. Emeritus Nelson Sewankambo
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

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