We made it!

By Melanie Nicol

We made it safely! Our flights and layover were thankfully uneventful. Customs at Entebbe airport was an unusually long process but we eventually (around 1:30 am) made it to We'lo Inn, our new home for the next several weeks (2 weeks for me, 4 weeks for the students). 

View of Kampala from balcony at We'lo Inn

Wednesday morning we got settled in. We made our way down to the Acacia Mall area (within walking distance). We grabbed a late breakfast at Cafe Java's where we met Winnie Nambatya, a pharmacist at Makerere University who is working with us on many projects and helping facilitate experiences for the students. From there we went to the mall where we took care of banking as well as getting groceries for the week!

Prosperity, Kunkun, and Sara outside the Minnesota-Uganda Hub

In the afternoon, the students got a tour of some of the main locations they will be working from. First we went to IDI-Mulago where I dropped off some study supplies and introduced everyone to the cryptococcal meningitis study team. Next stop was the International Student office at Makerere University where we got our badges so we're official! And lastly we went to the Minnesota Uganda Hub where the students were introduced to Martha Kandole, the hub manager.

We were quickly immersed in Ugandan culture on our first night by joining a group from the International Student Office on a trip to the Ndere Troupe Cultural Show. This group tells the history/culture of the many tribes from different regions of Uganda through song and dance. It was my second time attending this event and it's a definite favorite.

Thursday morning we settled into the hub. Later in the morning, Winnie, Kunkun, and myself went to Nakasero Hospital, a private 71-bed hospital in Kampala. Their pharmacist Esther is very eager to work with our students. Each student will spend a week rotating at Nakasero- I am excited about this  as it will provide opportunity for the students to see the differences between private and government-run hospitals.

Kunkun, Dr. Nicol, and pharmacist Esther in the Nakasero Hospital Pharmacy

Friday we met with IDI pharmacists to discuss possible projects for the students. The first meeting was Peter from the IDI Global Health Security Partner Engagement Project. He shared with us many of the policies IDI is working to develop, write, and implement. Later we met with pharmacist Eva who works in the Prevention, Treatment, and Care clinic at IDI. She gave a nice overview for the students on the mission of IDI and how HIV treatment and care has evolved over the years in Uganda. The students are going to be working with Eva in the coming weeks on developing some educational interventions (for both prescribers and patients) to improve appropriate antibiotic use at IDI.

First week is already over! With only three full work days, it feels like a lot of our time was spent making introductions, orienting students with facilities tours, and planning projects. The students have a full 4 weeks ahead of them and I am excited to hear about their initial impressions of Uganda in upcoming blogposts.