University of Dundee
Over the years, the University of Dundee has developed links with Malawi primarily through its medical programmes. Through academic links and exchanges, research projects and policy work, Dundee has established close and constructive partnerships with a range of Malawian actors and institutions.
Projects
Project 1: Drug Discovery Training
Training Malawian scientists and technicians in the fundamentals of drug discovery science.
Area of work: Research Training, Drug Discovery
Location of work: Blantyre
Project lead: Suze Farrell
Contact details: s.z.farrell@dundee.ac.uk
Partner organisation: College of Medicine at University of Malawi
Partner contact: Fanuel Lampiao
Funding: Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research (Welcome Trust funding)
More information: https://wcair.dundee.ac.uk/training/expert-visits/college-of-medicine-malawi/
Description of project
The Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research aims to support scientists looking for new medicines for neglected tropical diseases. These diseases have a disproportionate effect on countries in Africa, South America and Asia. While research will continue in Dundee, there is a need to build capacity in the drug discovery science that occurs in the countries most affected by the diseases themselves.
The University of Strathclyde worked with the College of Medicine, Blantyre, on the development of a Master’s course in Traditional Herbal Medicine. Their programme was called IMMPAQKT. We have continued to support some of the aspects of this programme by providing training (both taught and practical) on drug discovery science.
Teaching is delivered on an annual basis for 2 weeks in the College of Medicine in Blantyre. This teaching is open to individuals from other institutions in Malawi. Participants must be working on some aspect of drug discovery, and can engage with training in basic concepts and techniques for this type of research.
Another aspect of the partnership is the placements that we offer in Dundee. Part of the remit of the Wellcome Centre allows us to bring scientists from low-middle income countries to train with us in Dundee for periods of up to 1 year. We accept technical and/or academic staff who are working in Drug Discovery.
Key successes and outcomes so far
We have only had one trip so far so it is early to share successes. We have 2-3 individuals coming to train with us in Dundee based on the training programme in 2018. We are hoping they will be able to implement more good practice when they return to their roles in Malawi.
A second trip to the College of Medicine was planned for 2019. Training will be split to cover similar topics for new scientists attending, but also build upon the techniques taught last year to those returning for further training. This year we will also include training on Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics and this will be delivered to the Pharmacy students in the College as well.
Future and ideas for partnership development
Our funding is limited to train scientists in drug discovery. However, the development of a wider training programme in other related sciences may be beneficial to the country.
Public engagement with either public in the UK, Malawi or schools may be of benefit.
Trainees: we expect to have one PhD student from College of Medicine with us for a period of 9 months and a technician from MUST may join us in early 2020.
Project 2: Comparative analysis of communication during Health Education (HE) and Health Coaching (HC) in primary healthcare in Malawi
Exploring the characteristics of information communication in the Health Education model vs Health Coaching model
Area of work: Health, Education, Coaching
Location of work: Blantyre
Project lead: Prof. Peter Mossey
Contact details: p.a.mossey@dundee.ac.uk
Partner organisation: School of Public Health & Family Medicine, College of Medicine
Partner contact: Dr Susan Carnes Chichlowska
Contact details: MPHTutor@medcol.mw
Funding: GCRF
Description of project
Study Summary
An ethnographic study comparing HE versus HC in an urban primary care setting in Malawi is proposed. This method utilizes video technology, safe haven image storage, observer software and coding expertise from the University of Dundee (UoD). Training of healthcare professionals by the accredited health coach on the HC approach over 3 months will be followed by video recorded observations of 40 HC and 40 HE scenarios on 2 types of healthcare professionals` communication with their patients; (a) Dentists and (b) Dental Therapists at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. A health professionals’ workshop by experts from the University of Dundee to be conducted in Blantyre, Malawi at the end of the study.
Background to the study
A significant cause of mortality and morbidity in Malawi is due to NCDs (Muula and Mpabulungi, 2007; Msyamboza et al, 2011). Over the years, the HE model for effecting behaviour change has shown relative ineffectiveness in NCDs prevention and control (Kivela et al, 2014). The HC approach is emerging as a potential tool which guides and prompts people to be active participants in managing change in their own behaviour (NHS England, 2019).
Key successes and outcomes so far
At the moment we are in the process of finalising the ethical application with the National Health Sciences Research Committee of Malawi (NHSRC).
Future and ideas for partnership development
The integration of the oral health agenda with other NCDs because of the shared risk factors will create collaboration with other health professionals. The recent affiliation of oral health to the NCD Alliance alongside partners in diabetes, CVD and cancers will provide an ideal platform for a cost effective health improvement strategy. This trans-sectoral approach with an emphasis on upstream factors such as the social determinants of health brings together oral and general health with potential for primary prevention of all NCDs.
Also, interdisciplinary health related research activities in Malawi have, via the Tayside Institute for Global Health (TIGH) and the Dundee Africa Research Network (DARN) raised awareness and uncovered a range of other research activities in different UoD schools which will mean great opportunities for coordination and cooperation.
The participants in this pilot will also be well placed to develop future study protocols e.g. a follow up RCT and jointly apply for major research and implementation grants.