Improving prevention and management of rheumatic heart disease in Uganda
Official title: Reducing the Impact of Rheumatic Heart Disease across the Life Span: The Impact Program
Funded at Makerere University College of Health Sciences · NIH-11031938 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a training program in Uganda to help local researchers learn how to better prevent, spot, and manage rheumatic heart disease, so they can tackle the unique challenges of this condition in their communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Makerere University College of Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kampala, Uganda) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $242,643 |
| NIH project number | 5D43TW012255-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031938 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and young adults in Uganda who are at risk of or affected by rheumatic heart disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside of Uganda or those not affected by rheumatic heart disease may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a training program in Uganda aimed at enhancing the prevention, early detection, and management of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). It seeks to build local capacity by training emerging research leaders and scholars to generate relevant evidence on RHD that reflects the unique challenges faced in low- and middle-income countries. The program will leverage existing clinical trials and collaborations to create a sustainable research training center dedicated to tackling RHD. By fostering local expertise, the initiative aims to significantly reduce the burden of this disease across the lifespan.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and management strategies for rheumatic heart disease, ultimately reducing its impact on affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited innovation in RHD management globally, this approach is novel in its focus on local capacity building and may pave the way for significant advancements in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Makerere University College of Health Sciences
Kampala, Uganda Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sewankambo, Nelson K — Makerere University College of Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Sewankambo, Nelson K
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.