Uganda

Background

Type of Experience: University Medical Center, joining research projects with UMN faculty

Site Director: Dr. Nabukeera-Barungi email nicolettebarungi@gmail.com

Additional Contacts: Dr. Joshua Rhein rhei0005@umn.edu, Sister Jolly, Dr. Phillipa Musoke pmusoke@mujhu.org

Operation Manager: Martha Kandole kando005@umn.edu, Susan Byekwaso sbyekwaso@yahoo.com

UMN Faculty Contact: Dr. Viviane Leuche tchon002@umn.edu, Dr. Cindy Howard drcindy@umn.edu

Additional contacts:  Joshua Rhein rhei0005@umn.edu, Sister Jolly, Dr. Phillipa Musoke pmusoke@mujhu.org

Is a Temporary Medical License Required? Yes

Can a VISA be acquired upon arrival? No, according to the website,  you must apply online and have a Travel Authorization/Visa Approval Letter before embarking on their travel to Uganda as there are no visas issued on arrival. Note that you can apply for a single entry visitor visa for the purpose of the rotation. Cost is $50 for the single entry visa. If you envision that you will have multiple entry into Uganda, plan accordingly with applying for a different type of visa. Apply as early as possible for the Visa approval letter to avoid delays.  https://visas.immigration.go.ug/ 

COVID Pandemic: Please review COVID testing requirements and vaccinations as changes are dynamic. 

Primary Language Spoken: English is the national language. The local language in Kampala  is Luganda. All medical  staff communication including patient care, bedside teaching and lectures are in English. You might encounter patients who only speak a local dialect. Please confer with your Uganda colleagues for the best course of action.

Are language skills other than English required: No 

Housing: University of Minnesota guesthouse (Plot 153, Upper Mawanda Road, Mulago Hill, Kampala, Uganda) Housing Intake Form

Dress code: Dress pants and shirt with collar for men, dress/skirt/pants during weekdays for women with  slacks being acceptable on the weekend. *White coats are required on the wards*. You can bring your regular white coat or purchase a lab coat. Bring two coats so you have a backup. 

Travel Medicines: see CDC for Uganda for up to date information, take all prescription medicines in the prescription bottle

Required Vaccines: see CDC for Uganda for up to date information, , consider rabies vaccine (this has to be started at least 21 days before your travel dates to get at least 3 shots) and cholera vaccine (only available at a few travel clinics - plan in advance)

Brief Background/History:

Makerere University is a long-standing partner of the University of Minnesota with strong faculty  relationships in pediatrics and medicine. Mulago Hospital, the primary teaching hospital and referral  center for Uganda, houses approximately 4,000 patients. Approximately 50% are pediatric patients. Prior  to the civil war, Makerere University was known as the Harvard of East Africa. It continues to rebuild  today following not only the civil war, but also an HIV epidemic. The pediatric faculty is outstanding.  UMN faculty work closely with Makerere faculty to study malaria, iron deficiency, anemia, diabetes,  vitamin D deficiency, G6PD deficiency and early childhood mental health. We have a bi-directional  exchange with the Department of Pediatrics, with two of their senior residents joining us each summer  for an elective. For our rotations, the elective may be research or clinically-based or a combination of  both depending on the area of interest. Research interest requires advance planning.

Logistics:

Funding: Consider AAP International Elective Award ($1000, deadline Sept 15th usually, currently on hold due to COVID) or Doximity Scholarship ($2000, an example of a proposal and post travel report here) for travel funding.

Travel: Once you land - typically in the evening, you will spend the night at Sunset Hotel in Entebbe: enquiries@sunsetentebbe.com. Please email to inquire about reserving a room and transportation. They typically have breakfast in the morning and the UMN driver will pick you up from the hotel to go to Kampala - about 45 mins. You can talk to the driver about stopping by Acacia mall to get a few essentials (SIM card, cash). 

Common questions:

1. Will mosquito nets be available? Yes, they will be available at the hotel and at the UMN house.

2. What do I do for communication? When you land, try to get a SIM card either at the airport or the next day. MTN works well. You can roam with your US service, but a SIM card allows you to communicate much more easily and cheaper, and also have data for when you are out and about and as a hotspot. Whatsapp works well to communicate with Uganda colleagues and your friends/family in the US. Bring a spare phone just in case. Or buy a phone locally with the SIM card that you will use and keep your other phone safe. 

3. What do I do for cash? Bring a few dollar bills, small cuts and big cuts (300-1000) that you can easily change the first few days and save some in secure place, bring a card that you can use at the ATM. Credit card works well too. Ask Cindy, Tina, Viv, we might have some bills left over from travelling. Sometimes, you can pay in dollars and get reimbursed in Uganda shillings so it saves a trip to the ATM. 

4. Do I need to bring an adapter for my electronics? Yes, the outlets in Uganda are different - type G. You will need an adapter but won’t need a voltage converter. Most rechargeable electronics (laptops, phones, ipad, etc) do not need to be converted and the voltage conversion is only needed for things like kitchen appliances, hairdryers, clippers, printers, etc. 

5. What would you recommend to bring? You will likely have 2 luggage bags, you can use one for your personal stuff and the other one for things that will ultimately stay - gives you an empty luggage for souvenirs on the way back. Bring: white coat, PPE, gloves, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, thermometer, pulse ox, things to write, computer, reading material, umbrella, rain jacket, First aid kit, ophthalmoscope, slash-proof bag, a few locks to lock your stuff)

6. Can I work out? *Unclear about gym rules with COVID*. You can run during daytime, there are no good trails in town, but the UMN house is relatively close to a quieter neighborhood up the hill (where some embassies are located) and with some great views. 

7. What can I do for fun safely on my days off? Any restaurant recommendations?  Some Ideas