Fellowship Site: Tanzania
The Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS) was
established in July 1991, when the Faculty of Medicine was upgraded
to a College. The Faculty started as a School of Medicine in 1963,
within the premises of the then Princess Margaret Hospital. The
School was started to augment the meager supply of doctors then
being produced for the country from Makerere University College
of the University of East Africa. One of the greatest strengths
of this site is its strong linkages with community groups and policy
makers at the regional and national levels. This provides an added
dimension that enhances trainees' experiences.
The NIH-funded clinical research includes the following projects:
- A Trial of Micronutrients and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
- Nutrition, Immunology and Epidemiology of Tuberculosis
- Partnership in Nutrition and HIV/AIDS Research in Tanzania
- Trial of Vitamins Among Children of HIV Infected Mothers
- HIV Prevention Trials Network
- Trial of Vitamins and HAART in HIV Disease Progression (NICHD)
- Trial of Zinc and Micronutrients in Tanzanian Children (NICHD)
The collaboration is also a partner in the MUCHS/City of Dar es
Salaam/Harvard (MDH) HIV Care and Treatment Programme which provides
care for several thousands of HIV-infected patients according to
Tanzanian National Guidelines. MDH provides an opportunity for training
and operations research related to scaling up of HIV/AIDS care and
treatment.
Housing Availability:
A project house can be used if space is available, or fellows
can seek private housing in the area. The project house is located
within a ten-minute walk from Muhimbili University.
Immunizations Needed for this Site:
See the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control Web site and The
Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel.
The NIH/FICRS program mandates that all Scholars see a physician
prior to their assignment abroad (hepatitis B, typhoid).
Safety and Danger Issues:
See the U.S.
State Department Web site for information.
Language Requirements Other than English:
None. However, Kiswahli is the national language of Tanzania.
Lessons can be taken locally.
What is it like to live in Tanzania?
Tanzania offers tremendous opportunities for professional and
personal development. The political and social stability in the
country have allowed us to collaborate with Muhimbili University
College of Health Sciences for one decade now. Over this period
of time, our research programs have continuously increased in size
and complexity.
However, Tanzania is more than just an excellent location for public
health research. It offers a warm climate all year long, perfect
for visiting its beautiful beaches. From Dar es Salaam, the island
of Zanzibar is within easy reach, allowing for sightseeing tours.
Several national parks, offering safari tours, can be easily reached
from Dar es Salaam. Climbing Mount Meru or Mount Kilimanjaro is
a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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