Tanzania-Harvard; PI Wafaie Fawzi, DrPH

Fellowship Site: Tanzania-Dar es Salaam

The Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) is a successor to the Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS), which was a constituent College of the University of Dar es Salaam. MUCHS was established by an Act of Parliament, Act No 9 of 1991, when the then Faculty of Medicine was upgraded to a College. The School was started to augment the meager supply of doctors then being produced for the country from Makerere University College of the University of East Africa. One of the greatest strengths of this site is its strong linkages with community groups and policy makers at the regional and national levels. This provides an added dimension that enhances trainees' experiences.

Research Opportunities:

Examples NIH-funded clinical research include the following projects:

• International Global Infectious Disease Research Training Program in Pediatrics
  
• MUHAS-Harvard Public Health Informatics Training Program
  
• Partnership in Nutrition and HIV/AIDS Research in Tanzania
• Trial of Vitamins Among Children of HIV Infected Mothers
• HIV Prevention Trials Network
• Trial of Vitamins and HAART in HIV Disease Progression (NICHD)
• Trial of Zinc and Micronutrients in Tanzanian Children (NICHD)
• Fostering Opportunities for Nutrition and Global Health Frameworks Program
• Population Health Metrics Research Consortium
• Rapid Expansion of Antiretroviral Therapy Programs for HIV-Infected Persons in Tanzania
• Nutrition, Immunology, and Epidemiology of Tuberculosis
  

The collaboration is also a partner in the MUCHS/City of Dar es Salaam/Harvard (MDH) HIV Care and Treatment Programme which provides care for several thousands of HIV-infected patients according to Tanzanian National Guidelines. MDH provides an opportunity for training and operations research related to scaling up of HIV/AIDS care and treatment.

Housing/Meals/Transportation:

A project house can be used if space is available, or fellows can seek private housing in the area. The project house is located within a ten-minute walk from Muhimbili University.

Health Issues:

See the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Web site and The Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel.

The NIH/FICRS program mandates that all Scholars see a physician prior to their assignment abroad.

Safety Issues:

See the U.S. State Department Web site for information.

Language Requirements Other than English:

None. However, Kiswahli is the national language of Tanzania. Lessons can be taken locally.

What is it like to live in Tanzania?

Tanzania offers tremendous opportunities for professional and personal development. The political and social stability in the country have allowed us to collaborate with Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences for one decade now. Over this period of time, our research programs have continuously increased in size and complexity.

However, Tanzania is more than just an excellent location for public health research. It offers a warm climate all year long, perfect for visiting its beautiful beaches. From Dar es Salaam, the island of Zanzibar is within easy reach, allowing for sightseeing tours. Several national parks, offering safari tours, can be easily reached from Dar es Salaam. Climbing Mount Meru or Mount Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.