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Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University College of Health Sciences: a case study of a sustainable capacity building model for health care, research and training


Damalie Nakanjako
Barbara Castelnuovo
Nelson Sewankambo
Tom Kakaire
Richard L Brough
Elly T Katabira
David L Thomas
Thomas C Quinn
Robert Colebunders
Warner C Greene
Allan R Ronald
Alex Coutinho
Keith McAdam
David Serwadda
Fred Wabwire-Mangen
Edward Katongole-Mbidde
Philippa Musoke
Moses Joloba
Henry McKinnell
Moses Kamya
Harriet Mayanja-Kizza
Yukari C Manabe
Andrew Kambugu

Abstract

The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), established in 2001, was the first autonomous institution of Makerere University set up as an example of what self-governing institutes can do in transforming the academic environment to become a rapidly progressive University addressing the needs of society. This paper describes the success factors and lessons learned in development of sustainable centers of excellence to prepare academic institutions to respond appropriately to current and future challenges to global health.



Key success factors included a) strong collaboration by local and international experts to combat the HIV pandemic, along with b) seed funding from Pfizer Inc., c) longstanding collaboration with Accordia Global Health Foundation to create and sustain institutional strengthening programs, d) development of a critical mass of multi-disciplinary research leaders and managers of the center, and e) a series of strong directors who built strong governance structures to execute the vision of the institute, with subsequent transition to local leadership.


Conclusion: Twenty years of sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital, leadership, and collaborations present Makerere University and the sub-Saharan Africa region with an agile center of excellence with preparedness to meet the current and future challenges to global health.


Keywords: Capacity building; public-private partnership; global epidemic response.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1729-0503
print ISSN: 1680-6905