Issue: October 2011 MakCHS Post A Monthly News Bulletin by College of Health Sciences The

Attach more Fellows to Government Facilities’, CDC’s Emmy Muramuzi Tells MakSPH-CDC HIV/ AIDS Fellowship Program

he MakSPH-CDC HIV/AIDS Fellowship Program, recently held a dissemination workshop for the Medium term fellows in Monitoring Tand Evaluation, and Continuous Quality Improvement. The twenty three (23) fellows presented work done in divergent areas including adherence The Cancer Institute to Get to appointments, standardizing data collection instruments, designing patient a State of the art Research and data retrieval systems, among others. Speaking at the event, Dr. Emmy Muramuzi representing the program Training Facility partners CDC, said the program is an excellent innovation that has made a he Uganda Cancer Institute on Oc- reduce referrals abroad; which are a very lot of contribution in the field of HIV th management. tober 4 marked a groundbreak- expensive venture. 6 ing ceremony to start the con- Her message to the public was, “Cancer is struction of a three‐storey Uganda very frustrating and expensive condition TCancer Institute/Fred Hutchinson Cancer to treat, so prevention is the best option”. Research Centre Clinic and Training Insti- On behalf of her Ministry, she pledged tute. The building will house adult and budget support to Uganda Cancer Insti- EDITORIAL paediatric exam rooms as well as infec- tute operations, working closely with Na- Dear Reader tious disease, cancer histopathology and tional Medical Stores so that drugs and molecular diagnostics laboratories. supplies are delivered in a timely manner. Welcome to the Maiden issue of The The groundbreaking ceremony was per- Earlier on, the Board Chairman, Professor MakCHS Post. this bulletin will come to formed by the Vice President His excel- Charles Olweny expressed concern that you everymonth, highlighting the major lence, Edward Ssekandi who represented Uganda National Medical Stores staff do happenings at the college. the President. In the speech read by Hon. not seem to appreciate that cancer treat- In this maiden issue, we bring you; Ssekandi, President ments do follow certain strict procedures noted that death rates due to cancer are and cannot be just substituted. He re- NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT THE UGAN- notably high due to late stage diagno- ported that response and cure rates have DA CANCER INSTITUTE. sis and lack of access to care. He further gone down from expected which may be THE NEED TO HAVE MAKSPH - CDC noted that the economic burden of these partly due to the use of cheap and sub- HIV/AIDS FELLOWS POSTED TO RU- deaths is high to the country because in- standard drugs. RAL PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTIONS. creasing those dying from cancer are in The centre will have facilities for patients, the prime of their lives. He therefore said which will include a reception area, phar- TRAINING IN PHARMACOKINETICS AND PHARMACODYNAMICS. that the collaboration is an outstanding macy, blood‐draw laboratory, and areas effort to make treatment available and for chemotherapy infusion and patient THE NEED TO CAPTURE EXPERINCES accessible. education. OF INDIVIDUALS FOR USE IN THE AN- The Minister of Health, Dr. Christine On- Professional training facilities will include TI-TOBACCO CAMPAIGN doa, said that one very important aspect a library, learning labs and conference AND MUCH MUCH MORE! of the facility is to provide treatment and rooms. 2 Read on 1 The Uganda Cancer Institute Cont’d

NOTICE BOARD Upcoming Events • Inauguration of the School for Dental Technicians Laboratory November 22nd 2011 at the School premises in Mulago Hospital Vice President Edward Ssekandi performing the ground breaking ceremony • Improving the nutritional status of Upon completion of the institute in 2013, patients through nutrition research • Collaboration for medical training and cancer treatment in and expanded food programs Uganda is expected to improve dramati- • Enabling Hutchinson Centre ex- Evidence Based Health cally, boosting survival rates for common perts to help devise a model to Care in Africa 1st infection‐related cancers from 10 per- deploy effective cancer care in re- Annual Symposium cent to 90 percent. The facility will play a source‐limited settings pivotal role in increasing cancer survival The ceremony was also attended by November 24th at rates by: other officials from the Fred Hutchinson • Boosting patient access to diagnos- Cancer Research Centre, USAID‐Uganda, Imperial Royale Hotel, tic technology Ministry of Health, Makerere University Dramatically increasing the number College of Health Sciences, former Prime of patients who can be treated Minister Professor Apollo Nsibambi and • Enhancing integration of HIV treat- health workers in the Mulago Hospital ment into cancer care Complex. • Department of Pathology and Johns Hopkins University Grand Round (by video conference) November 29th 2011 in the Davis Lecture Theatre, MakCHS

• MakSPH-CDC HIV/AIDS Fellowship Program Mentorship Workshop December 2nd 2011 at Serena Hotel Dr. Corey Casper, Co‐Director, Uganda Cancer Institute/Hutchinson Cancer Alli- ance delivering his speech at the ceremony PEDAGOGICAL SKILLS TRAINING WORKSHOP FROM 17TH TO 21ST OCTOBER HELD AT MakSPH

A pedagogical skills workshop was held at MakSPH starting from 17th to 21st Oc- tober 2011. This was to enhance teach- ing skills of faculty aiming at improving quality of teaching and equipping new faculty with methods and new modes of communication in health. Also old faculty members attended with the pur- pose of refreshing their own skills and others from projects like the HIV/AIDS Fellowship Programme and the Regional Quality of Health Care who facilitate on the MakSPH courses, support gradu- ate students to carry out research and participate in curriculum development at the school. The Dean, Deputy Dean Academics and Chairs of the different departments realised the need to strengthen teaching Dr. Sara Kiguli (second right in green top) taking staff through the training and and organise this training for the faculty below; a cross section of staff during the training so as to ensure quality assurance in public health and equip their new faculty with pedagogical skills to meet the health demands of communities and needs of students at MakSPH. MakSPH through the Dean’s Office has in the past arranged several teachers’ workshops over the years, where one was funded by the European Union under the project of EDULINK led by Dean William Bazeyo.

The course offered insights into how adults learn, the state and art of teaching and learning using post graduates and undergraduates curriculums, competency based teaching, problem based learning and case writing approaches, community based Health education experts and key health, disaster management, policy education and research services, roles curriculum developers from the College making, and community health of a teacher, qualities of a good teacher, of Health Sciences; namely schools promoters among others. The training professionalism and ethics of teaching, of and Nursing: Prof. Sarah offered new skills and also invigorated old how to make a lesson plan attractive to a Kiguli-Walube, Dr. Stephen Kijjambu, Dr. ones as clearly stated at the closing of the learner, what an interactive lecture looks Rhona Baingana, Dr. Andrew Mwanika, workshop. The remarkable fascination like, handling of small and large groups Ms. Catherine Mwesigwa, Ms Joyce about the training was the consideration which have different characteristics Nankumbi. This marked a significant step of organising similar trainings and dynamics, assessment of students in inter-school collaborations within the throughout the Makerere University and approaches to student centered College of Health Sciences and working College of Health Sciences and even learning, and likely curricula reforms to together to producing a relevant health the rest of the University. For academic the changing world. Application of visual teaching workforce directly aligning with collaborations and partnerships of this teaching aids, e-learning, describing the strategic plan and vision of Makerere nature are known to empower lecturers course objectives at the beginning of University to provide knowledge, and enhance quality teaching in higher teaching, student assessments and research oreinted and competency education. self evaluation of teachers were seen based education. to strengthen the school capacity to provide a good learning environment. MakSPH is key in training professionals in public health, health service delivery, The training was facilitated by several nutritional coverage, environmental WHO Country Representative Visits the Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa

The WHO Country Representative/ College of Health Sciences, Public Health, Assoc. Prof. William Uganda, Dr. Joaquim Saweka Professor Ssewankambo said the Bazeyo reiterated the commitment visited the Centre for Tobacco School will fully utilize the Centre of the Centre staff to ensuring that it Control in Africa (CTCA) offices to and even encourage students to delivers as a Centre of Excellence familiarise himself with the Centre undertake tobacco control for their for Tobacco Control resources in before its official launch was held research. He said the College Africa. on November 1st. He congratulated strongly supports collaboration, Makerere University College of adding that the Centre is just on e The Centre for Tobacco Control in Health Sciences, School of Public of the many collaborations with the Africa is hosted by the College of Health (MakSPH) for winning the College. He assured the WR that Health Sciences School of Public highly competitive bid to host the the funds will be well managed, Health with the ultimate goal African Centre. He urged the adding that the College looks serving governments and partners Centre staff to start show casing forward to having many more in the whole of Africa to develop results, create awareness about collaborations with WHO. viable tobacco control policies and the Centre and ensure that the strategies to reduce tobacc-related Centre benefits all the African The Centre Director, Dr. Possy burden of disease. countries. The WR pledged WHO’s Mugyenyi and the Dean School of commitment to supporting the Centre to ensure that it lives up to its expectations.

The Makerere University Secretary, David Kahundha Muhwezi assured the WR that the MakCHS MakSPH was thrilled to host the Centre adding that the College will do everything possible to ensure that the Centre performs above its expectations, and that it can have a positive impact on the health of the African people. He stressed the need for the Centre to work with Universities in Africa to carry out research particularly with regard to alternative livelihood. Dr. Saweka being shown around the Centre. In picture is Professor Sewankambo, The Principal Makerere University Associate Professor William Bazeyo and Dr. Possy Mugyenyi.

Two-week Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics Research Training Course Open at the Makerere University College of Health Sciences

A two-week Clinical pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics research course focusing on HIV/AIDS antimalarial drug therapy was conducted at the College of Health Sciences. The course has participants from Uganda and Sweden.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Associate Professor Paul Waako, said that the Makerere University-Karolinska Institutet collaboration is expanding to other directions other than PhD studies.

The Dean, School of Biomedical Sciences, Associate Professor Charles Ibingira said the school is trying to improve its image by strengthening academics. He said that the course will help Professor Gustafsson speaking at the opening reception 6 at Humura Hotel in Kampala ‘Use the Experiences of Individuals to Talk About the Harm in Tobacco Use’- Dr. Christine Ondoa Minister What was meant to be a meeting to monologue went along these lines, his mother had started; he was share with Members of Parliament ‘I will not smoke you’. When he able to convert many young souls. and key stakeholders, what is finally stopped smoking, this had happening in the area of tobacco a huge influence on his younger Speaking at the breakfast meeting control in Africa, turned into a series brother, he too, a medic and a for the Members of Parliament of testimonies. The most touching smoker. He too stopped smoking; and other key stakeholders, the testimonies came from three along with five of the University Minister of Health Dr. Christine eminent Ugandans; a Member of don’s friends. By this time, several Ondoa said that such testimonies Parliament; a Honourable Minister pairs of bed-sheets had been burnt and experiences should form part and a university don. and of course lots of cash. It is now of the community strategies for 21 years since he stopped. tobacco control in Africa. She said This was ata breakfast meeting current smokers would benefit from organisedat the Centre for Tobacco the knowledge that it is possible Control in Africa for MPS and key for one to stop smoking and live a policy stakeholders at Imperial The Honourable Minister: normal life. Royale on October 31st. Her son started encountering Dr. Ondoa said that the Government The Member of Parliament: The questions on smoking when in of Uganda will develop tobacco jovial Member of Parliament from S.4; when the teacher asked the use strategies targeting strategic Eastern Uganda (Teso region) class how many of them had ever pockets of smokers like policy said he is a product of smoking smoked. Him and another student makers, health workers and parents. Both his parents used to raised their hand and suffered the teachers. be committed smokers, producing effects of peer pressure after that. very tiny and low birth weight Minister’s son was smart; he talked The breakfast meeting was babies. Thankfully they grew up. to his mother about the situation attended by Members of Parliament, When MP grew up and started who gave him a WHO poster that academics, government officials earning some money he gave his talks about the effects of smoking from key line ministries and mother an ultimatum. She either in graphic detail. He took the poster departments, CTCA Consortium kicked the habit or she forgot all to school and continued the work members, UN agency staff and about his money! By this time her journalists. health was failing! She stopped but her health had already been affected.

University Don: University don started smoking as a young boy and smoked for 13 years. At University he was the only smoker student in his class. He however had helpful smoking company in the person of his Egyptian professor. At this time in his smoking career, University don was a 2-pack-a day- smoker; his professor would kindly share his cigarettes and the two would smoke in class together; student and professor. Talk about inspiration!!

When University don made the decision to kick the addictive habit he would talk to the four sticks remaining in the last pack he Dr. Christine Ondoa at the launch of the CTCA a few days later smoked. The dialogue or rather 4 Two-week Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics improve the knowledge of the students, most of whom are pursuing Masters and PhD studies.

He expressed hope that in future the course will attract more international participants and a lot more local ones.

The Deputy Principal, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Professor Celestino Obua, said Makerere University is one of the prime and potential academic institutions in Africa with a good ranking outside South Africa and Cairo. He said the University is attracting many more collaborations including from African institutions. He said the Karolinska Institutet collaboration alone has produced close to fifty (50) PhD degrees, majority of which are in the College of Health Sciences. He encouraged the course participants to initiate discussion and not just sit to be taught.

Professor Lars Gustafsson from Karolinska Institutet said the collaboration between Course participants during a session at the College of Health sci- the two institutions is a priority one for ences Karolinska Institutet.

Attach more Fellows to Government Facilities

1 Rakai Health Sciences Program, Joint Clinical Research Centre, Reach Out He said that program addresses HIV/AIDS Initiative, Kabwohe Clinical Research Centre, Bushenyi, University of issues that are at the heart of PEPFAR Maryland, Institute of Human Virology, Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, work; system strengthening which Health Initiatives for the Private Sector, Mayuge District Local Government, AIDS encompasses but not limited to, data Information Centre, National Community of Women Living with AIDS and Uganda management, quality improvement, Red Cross. human resource development, etc.

He said PEPFAR and other global development institutions put a lot of emphasis on health systems especially the area of health workforce development. He therefore requested the fellowship program to attach a reasonable number of fellows to government facilities to help improve systems within these facilities.

At the event, the Program Director Professor David Serwadda announced that Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze (Program Manager) will be the new Program Director.

Twenty three (23) fellows; 12 for Continuous Quality Improvement and 11 for Monitoring and Evaluation were graduated. Tey were from a variety of organizations including UWESO, TASO, Dr Rhoda Wanyenze coming in as the new Program Director

Makerere University College of Health Sciences P.O. Box 7072 Kampala Mulago Hospital Complex E-mail: [email protected], Website:www.chs.mak.ac.ug, Twitter:makererechs, Youtube:makererechs