Uganda-Case Western; PI Peter Mugyenyi, FRCP, ScD

Fellowship Site: Uganda-Kampala-Case Western

The Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) is Uganda’s leading center of excellence for AIDS care, treatment, research, and training. It was founded in 1990 as a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Defense, and Makerere University. The Ministry of Health is in charge of policy, Makerere University provides scientists and researchers, and the Ministry of Defense handles infrastructure needs. The JCRC has since expanded, and is currently the largest Antiretroviral (ART) provider in the country and one of the biggest PEPFAR supported ART centers in Africa. Furthermore, it is the most advanced reference laboratory for other centers providing ARVs in the country and the Great Lakes region with capacity to do sophisticated tests required for ARV therapy monitoring and detection of resistance to ARVs. JCRC is the secretariat for an NIH Research and Training Grant funded by Forgarty International Center called “The Uganda HIV/TB Clinical Operational and Health Services Research (COHRE) Program”. The program works through a collaboration of institutions which include: Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) USA, Makerere University Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), National TB/Leprosy Program (NTLP) and Kampala City Council (KCC). The program has supported a number of graduate students and has also established a new Health Services Master’s course at the Makerere School of Public Health.

Research Opportunities:

AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG)- Multiple clinical trials are taking place at JCRC regarding HIV drug therapy

Housing/Meals/Transportation:

Transitory housing is available at the Makerere University Guest House and at Regency Hotel, both establishments have long standing collaboration with JCRC and they are located within reasonable distance to JCRC. More permanent housing apartments in walking distance to JCRC can be found, with prices varying (between $1200-1500/month), depending on location, number of tenants sharing the compound, security and other associated costs. Public transportation (taxis, minibuses) is available. During the day, meals are available at JCRC canteen for between $ 6-10.

Health Issues:

Malaria is endemic in Uganda and malaria prophylaxis is recommended. In addition, using bed nets and mosquito repellents are encouraged to protect from Malaria infection.The incidence of water-borne illnesses and cholera outbreaks are common in Uganda. Therefore, the use of bottled drinking water is highly recommended.

For more information 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 requirement other than English:

NO

What is it like to live in Uganda?