IDEA
Consortium for Development of Sustainable Research Based Fellowship Training on Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Africa
Project at a Glance
Coordinator
Prof Peter Olupot-Olupot, Busitema University, Uganda
Consortium Partners
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation – Uganda (MoSTI), Uganda National Health Research Organisation (UNHRO), Infectious Diseases Institute Limited (IDI), Uganda National Health Laboratory Services (UNHLS), Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH), The Open University, Mbale Clinical Research Institute
Country of Fellow
Uganda
Grant number
CSA2020E-3126
About
In Uganda, advancement in field epidemiology lags behind evidence-based public health action on outbreaks and surveillance of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
The current non-degree awarding, non-career training programmes in general field epidemiology in Uganda fall short of the WHO International Health Regulations standards. Through a consortium approach, the IDEA Fellowship Programme has involved key stakeholders to implement the first national infectious disease field epidemiology Master’s programme. The consortium led by Busitema University has eight partners: Uganda National Public Health Institute; Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation; Uganda National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services; Uganda Virus Research Institute, Mbale Clinical Research Institute; Infectious Diseases Institute; and The Open University as a northern partner.
The overarching objective of the IDEA Fellowship programme is to train the next generation of infectious disease field epidemiologists in conducting disease surveillance, outbreak investigations and timely response, and translating data into evidence-based practice in Uganda. Ten African early-to-mid career scientists will be trained through a comprehensive, practical and hands-on Master’s in Science training in infectious disease epidemiology. The time allotted to the programme is:
Study Metrics
20%
Intensive foundational and advanced epidemiology and biostatistics.
70%
Rigorous infectious disease field epidemiology.
10%
Dissertation research project in field epidemiology.
Meet the The Fellows
Jimmy Patrick Alunyo
Public Health Specialist
Mr Alunyo Jimmy Patrick is a Public health Specialist, a holder of BDVS and MPH.He has 7 years of experience in public health research and social science research.
He is also a part-time research assistant for the Carter Centre Uganda and a Ministry of Health UNEPI research assistant.
Deborah Aujo
Epidemiologist
Deborah Aujo is currently an epidemiologist working with the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Uganda Health System Strengthening Activity. She hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technology, a postgraduate diploma in Project Planning and Management (UMI) and she completed a Master of Public Health from Makerere University
Joseph Baluku
Internal Medicine Physician
Joseph has a passion for infectious diseases and their interaction with non-communicable diseases with 9 years’ experience in tuberculosis and HIV diagnosis, management and prevention acquired from working at the national tuberculosis treatment center and KNRH.
Patience Birungi
Finance Officer
Patience was the PI of a study; Retention-In-Care and Associated factors among Adolescents Aged 10-19 Years Living with Sickle-cell Disease in Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala-Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Mathias Ngobi Bogere
Public Health Specialist
Mathias Ngobi Bogere is a Public Health Specialist with over 18 years of experience in HIV/TB Care and Prevention. Currently, Mathias works as the Covid-19 Surveillance Advisor in Ankole region for USAID Local Partner Health Services under TASO Uganda Limited.
Micheal Mandeje
Principal Clinical Officer
Michael is currently working with Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital as a Principal Clinical Officer and Head of Department of the Outpatient Department.
Grace Nabaggala Ssanyu
Epidemologist
Grace is a clinical epidemiologist and biostatistician at the Department of Dentistry at Makerere College of Health Sciences. She joined the department in 2017 and has been part of the research team. She has been involved in several research projects across a wide range of areas within Dentistry.
Allen Namala
Laboratory Technologist
Allen is a Laboratory technologist with a Master’s of science degree in international Infectious degree. She is passionate about infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control. She’s also worked with the COVID-19 response team, as a laboratory technologist in Tororo Mobile COVID-19 testing Laboratory supervised by Central Public Health Laboratory.
Edity Namyalo
Laboratory Technologist
Edity is an upcoming researcher and a laboratory technologist by profession, aged 33 years. She is currently working as a Laboratory Technologist with AAR Healthcare, Uganda and also part-timing as a research assistant. She holds a Master’s degree in International Infectious Disease Management and a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technology.
Marble Nasasira
Pharmacist
Marble is a registered pharmacist, epidemiologist and biostatistician who aspires to be a leading researcher working with an interdisciplinary team and communities to contribute to cutting-age solutions to health care problems across Africa.
Charles Benard Okalebo
Pharmacist
Charles is a determined researcher with an interest in furthering a career in research epidemiology, statistics, and pharmacovigilance. His training as a pharmacist and public health specialist and work environment as a quality assurance officer have offered him vast experience in clinical research.
William Okiror
Medical Officer
William holds MBCh.B with 8 years of clinical practice. He is registered by the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC) is a member of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) and UMA SACCO.
Godfrey Opolot
Environmental Health Worker
Godfrey is a holder of a Masters in Epidemiology and Health Statistics from Zhengzhou University-China. He is also a graduate from the Frontline Field Epidemiology Fellowship Program.
Joseph Oposhia
Health Inspector
Joseph has got experience in disease surveillance, water quality monitoring, conducting research studies, Mentorship on DHIS, report writing and data management and supervisor for LQAS.
George Paasi
Trial Medical Officer
George has 7 years of experience as a clinical trials research scientist. He has been the first Trial Medical Officer (TMO) and is currently a clinical trial lead, a lead position for trial clinical teams at Mbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI).