Over three weeks in July 2024, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in collaboration with Buckinghamshire NHS Health Care Trust (BHT) and Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) hosted a delegation of seven Ugandans in the UK to participate in various activities including grant writing, conference presentations, dissemination events, as well as meetings with institutional colleagues and future partners among others.
The visit aimed to strengthen international collaborative partnerships through research and practical engagement. The Ugandan delegation included pharmacists Flavia Kibuuka from Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital and Geoffrey Musanje from Nakaseke Hospital in Central Uganda, along with health manager Dr. Mathias Lugoloobi from Wakiso District. Four staff members from Makerere University also participated, with Dr. David Musoke and Mrs. Grace Biyinzika Lubega representing the School of Public Health, and Dr. Samuel Kyobe and Dr. Margaret Lubwama from the School of Biomedical Sciences.
These visits were carried out under three major projects: including the NTU International Partnership Fund (IPF), overseen by the NTU Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, along with the Executive Dean of Research and International Reputation and the Director of Research Strategy and Operations. Another project is the Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship Scheme (CwPAMS), a joint initiative of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association and The Tropical Health and Education Trust, funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care's Fleming Fund. Lastly, the Global Capacity Building Programme, backed by the National Health Service England (NHSE) and supported by the Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET).
During the UK visit, Makerere University faculty engaged in discussions on ongoing grant applications and collaborated with their UK counterparts on manuscript development. A series of strategic meetings were held at NTU's Clifton campus to brainstorm ideas for sustainable interventions aimed at addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, these sessions explored expanding the NTU-Mak partnership to other disciplines beyond microbiology and public health, highlighting the potential for broader collaboration.
The visiting delegation also engaged in a wide range of other activities to enhance their understanding of UK healthcare systems and practices. The team visited Buckinghamshire NHS Health Care Trust (BHT), a key partner organization in the NTU-Mak partnership in the ongoing antimicrobial stewardship projects. At BHT, they met with local healthcare professionals, including the pharmacy and management departments, where they shared experiences and discussed collaborative strategies for addressing antimicrobial resistance.
The team paid a courtesy visit to the Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH), including the Queens Medical Centre and while there, interacted with various departments, where they observed human resource management and healthcare delivery practices in the facility. These visits provided invaluable insights into the operational efficiencies and best practices of the UK healthcare system, which the Ugandan team aimed to adapt and implement within their setting while back at their institutions.
To showcase the achievements and plans of the NTU-Mak partnership, a dissemination event was organised by the public health team at Nottingham Trent University where past, present and future projects of the collaboration were presented to academic staff and PhD students at the university. This event provided a platform for sharing insights, achievements, and plans, fostering a deep understanding and collaboration between the institutions.
Dr. David Musoke and Prof. Linda Gibson, the partnership leads for Uganda and the UK respectively, outlined the history and future of the collaboration, followed by Ms. Suzan Nakalawa's presentation on the activities of the CwPAMS project. Dr. Jody Winter highlighted the joint celebrations of World Antibiotic Awareness Week, an initiative the two institutions have spearheaded together since 2019. Additionally, Ms. Grace Biyinzika Lubega shared leadership and management survey findings among health managers in Wakiso District.
From the Makerere University School of Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Margaret Lubwama presented her research on bacteria on environmental surfaces at the Uganda Cancer Institute, while Dr. Samuel Kyobe presented his work on antimicrobial resistance and poor drainage in Kampala. These two pilot projects were conducted in collaboration with the School of Science and Technology at NTU and were funded by NTU’s International Partnership Fund.
During the dissemination event, Pharmacists Geoffrey Musanje and Flavia Kibuuka shared their reflections and key takeaways from their BHT, NUH and Queens Medical Centre hospital visits. They discussed the advanced healthcare practices observed, innovative approaches to patient care, and the differences in healthcare infrastructure between the UK and Uganda. Their insights highlighted the potential for implementing similar strategies at home.
Dr. Mathias Lugoloobi also shared his experiences and lessons from the visit. He emphasized the value of exposure to the UK healthcare system, particularly in terms of leadership, management, and operational efficiencies. Dr. Lugoloobi acknowledged the management and leadership challenges he encountered in his career after being appointed as a health manager. He reflected that stepping into this role was a pivotal moment, as it exposed the complexities of leadership that many health facility managers in health facilities aren’t well prepared for.
He expressed his determination to implement the insights gained from his UK visit, highlighting that the lessons in leadership and management would be instrumental in addressing the challenges faced by health managers in Wakiso District. He emphasized his commitment to fostering a more efficient and effective healthcare system, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of care for the community.
The final activity took place at the 12th International Festival of Public Health at the University of Manchester 2024, where the team shared findings from their various projects, with Dr. David Musoke presenting on the perceptions and experiences of community engagement during the response to the Ebola outbreak in Uganda, while Ms. Grace Lubega presented strategies for addressing COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy through community engagement and the integration of vaccination services in Wakiso District. Prof. Linda Gibson and Suzan Nakalawa presented the progress and impact of the Antimicrobial Stewardship project.
Additionally, PhD students from NTU showcased their research at the Manchester conference, with Michael Obeng Brown presenting a poster, and Elma Rejoice Banyen and Last Mafuba delivering oral presentations on their PhD projects. The event concluded on a high note, with Last Mafuba securing second place for best oral presentation. This conference provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and highlighted the collaborative research achievements of the NTU-Mak partnership.
Compiled by Suzan Nakalawa, Michael Obeng Brown & Jennifer Nantongo
