Health
Makerere University Population Cohort (MUCHAP/IMHDSS) to conduct a Community Medical Camp
MUCHAP, the Makerere University Centre for Health and Population Research, is dedicated to improving the well-being of the Ugandan population through the generation and dissemination of high-quality demographic, health, and socio-economic information. With a focus on the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (IMHDSS), MUCHAP has been actively engaged in monitoring births, deaths, and migrations for over 15 years. By conducting impactful research that addresses community needs, MUCHAP aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the practical needs of households and individuals.
To further this mission, MUCHAP is organizing a health camp in Wairama trading centre, Nakigo sub-county, Iganga district on 17th June, 2023, starting at 9:00 AM. Building upon the success of a previous health camp in 2017, which collected over 700 units of blood and served more than 2,000 community members, this upcoming event aims to tackle the significant challenge of child mortality in the region. By raising awareness, improving access to healthcare services, and investigating the causes of child death, the health camp strives to enhance the overall health of the community.
The core objective of the community engagement, which includes a medical camp, is to bring the university’s research directly to the community, incorporating community voices and addressing their needs. Dr. Dan Kajungu, the Lead Research Scientist and Executive Director of MUCHAP, outlines the objectives of the medical camp.
“These include health education on topics such as childhood immunization, child and maternal health, health-seeking behaviors, personal and household hygiene, and early screening and diagnosis for non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases.
“Additionally, the camp aims to provide feedback to the community regarding past research conducted and its implications for population well-being. Furthermore, the event will facilitate a dialogue on innovative technologies such as the minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) method for determining the cause of death, which involves conducting autopsies without fully opening the body” he said.
The health camp will also serve as an opportunity to sensitize and engage the community about the importance of registering all births and deaths with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) systems. Recognizing that many events, including those occurring within health facilities, often go unregistered in the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system, the HDSS is collaborating with NIRA to enhance registration through community structures such as Village Health Teams (VHTs) and Local Council One Chairpersons. Leveraging their experience and expertise in community-level registration since 2005, MUCHAP aims to promote comprehensive CRVS coverage.
Looking ahead, MUCHAP envisions establishing a community research and public health laboratory that is accessible and community friendly. This laboratory will provide convenient services to community members while facilitating essential research, similar to centers in South Africa and other developed countries.
This endeavor is supported by the Makerere University Biomedical Research Center (MakBRC), which builds upon existing infrastructure that was partly funded by Pfizer International by contributing to the construction of the current center premises.
Working with healthcare workers from Iganga General Hospital and other community-based public health facilities, the health camp will offer a range of activities including community engagement, health education talks, screenings, and laboratory tests for common diseases. Community members will receive various products and services, such as treated mosquito nets, family planning services, medication, and immunizations for eligible individuals.
Through these initiatives, MUCHAP aims to empower the community with knowledge, resources, and improved access to healthcare, thereby addressing key health challenges and working towards a robust disease surveillance system at the community level.
Health
Call for Abstracts: 2nd East African Symposium and Expo on Trauma, Injuries, and Emergency Care – 2025
At a ceremony held on 30th May 2025, themed ‘They taught us without saying a word’, the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) commemorated the silent teacher which are the cadavers (bodies) used in anatomy classes for medical students. In addition to a commemoration service, the event was used to create awareness and sensitise the public about the the importance of whole body donation.
The chief guest at the commemoration was Professor Mukadasi Buyinza, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs representing the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe. The event attended by MakCHS students, staff and alumni was organised by students under Anatomy Society of MakCHS supported by Department of Anatomy and MakCHS leadership.
Welcoming guests to the event, Waziwu Mordecai–final year student of medicine and surgery who serves as President of the Anatomy Society, MakCHS explained that the reason for the gathering is three-pronged: to commemorate the silent teachers who make a profound contribution to medical education; to instill knowledge, compassion, and professionalism in future healthcare providers; and call on the community to support this noble act through awareness, advocacy, or future donation. ‘May the memory of our silent teachers live on in every life we will one day save’, he said.
The Anatomy society was founded in 2013 with aim of students providing peer mentorship to fellow students in lower years, such mentorship sessions help students appreciate better the anatomy of the human body. The society has supported:enhanced learning and mentorship; promoted academic participation including internal and external quizzes; and fostered connections including strengthen relationships between students across classes and with alumni.
Professor Elisa Mwaka, Head – Department of Human Anatomy welcomed all present for attending the ceremony. He thanked the College management led by the Principal, Professor Bruce Kirenga for the support provided in organizing the ceremony. He also expressed utmost appreciation to the Vice Chancellor for attending despite the competing priorities requiring his attention.
Professor Mwaka highlighted that we are here today, to pay our respect to the individuals whose bodies have been used for medical examination and research at MakCHS through offering prayers as well as sensitize people about willful/consented whole body donation.
Professor Mwaka explained that globally, sources of whole bodies for medical education and research are got through willed whole-body donation, unclaimed bodies in hospitals, imported bodies, executed persons among other means. In Uganda, unclaimed bodies in hospitals are used for medical as determined by the Uganda National Rules in the Penal Code Act of 1957.
In 2012 International Federation of Anatomy Associations (IFAA) recommended voluntary donation as the desirable and the only acceptable source for acquiring bodies. Almost all Africa countries and some European countries lack national body donation programs.
Speaking at the event, Professor Bruce Kirenga, Principal – MakCHS thanked Professor Mwaka for the insightful presentation. He welcomed Professor Buyinza to MakCHS and for accepting to attend despite the late invitation. He recognized the presence of the staff present and support towards the college activities.
Professor Kirenga underlined the importance of biomedical science under which human anatomy falls in medical education. ‘Biomedical sciences play a key role, once someone in grounded in the area, then he will be a good doctor’, he said.
The Principal also stressed that during his term of office operation efficiency will remain key ingredient for service delivery as well as rebuilding and rehabilitation of teaching and learning facilities. ‘Works to make the Biochemistry laboratory a model lab has commenced with a contract awarded to service provider; the refurbishment will be in phases’.
Professor Buyinza Mukadasi thanked the College, Human Anatomy department and the students for organizing the commemoration. ‘The amount of joy I have this morning, we should have done this a long time ago’, he said.
He expressed happiness at this commemoration for the silent teachers who unknowingly give so much to medical education and therefore mankind. He advised that community engagement to create awareness about the need for whole-body donation, regulatory compliance, and alignment to best practices.
He noted that disciplines like medicine is more like charity because medical practitioners give so much of themselves. ‘The number of people attending this ceremony is show of love for the discipline and commitment to the calling’ he said.
Professor Buyinza reiterated the commitment of Makerere University management to support MakCHS endeavours including this culture of commemorating the silent teacher. ‘Well-trained and season doctors are a result of the process explained here and the absence of bodies affects the quality of education provided and therefore the doctors produced’, he added.
Candles for the cadavers were lit and services representative of Anglican, Catholics and Muslims were conducted to remember the souls of the departed and wish them a peaceful rest. Ordinand Cosmas Ddembe for Anglican, Father Valentine Amuneke for Catholic and Dr. Haruna Kiryowa for Muslim preached the importance of respect for the dead and sacrifices of the dead for advancement of research and education in the medical field and health services.
Giving closing remarks, Professor Mwaka noted that setting up whole-body donation programs in Africa requires a holistic approach involving education, cultural sensitivity, legal structures, and partnerships with medical institutions.
Reasons why Africa has failed to establish body donation programs:
- Low awareness and willingness to donate bodies.
- Cultural and traditional beliefs
- Religious beliefs
- Fear of mishanding bodies
- Lack of legislation/ ambiguous regulations
- Lack of institutional policies and standard operating procedures
- Institutions should be encouraged to hold Services of thanksgiving or commemoration for those who have donated their bodies for medical education and research.
The following is required to change the current status:
- Cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Community engagement and awareness creation
- Educational campaigns
- Developing legal and ethical frameworks
- Building partnerships between hospitals and medical institutions
- Establishing local body donation systems i.e.,
- donation registration process,
- consent documentation,
- Logistical infrastructure necessary for the
- donation process.
- Effective communication, public trust,transparency.
- Training and professional development of healthcare providers.
- Global collaboration and funding: to share knowledge, best practices, and resources.
- Government support
- Funding and incentives
- Inclusion of body donation in national health strategies.
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