Improving surgical and injury care in sub‑Saharan Africa with data science
Official title: The Data Science Center for the Study of Surgery and Injury in Africa (D-SINE-Africa)
Funded at University of Buea · NIH-11396192 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Using available health data and local training to help people in Cameroon, South Africa, and Uganda get faster, safer surgery and better injury care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Buea NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Buea, Cameroon) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $116,168 |
| NIH project number | 3U54TW012087-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396192 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People in Cameroon, South Africa, or Uganda who have experienced traumatic injuries or who receive surgical care at participating hospitals or clinics are the most likely candidates to be involved or benefit.
✕Less likely to help
People outside the participating countries or those with health issues unrelated to injury or surgery are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
This program brings universities, health ministries, and data scientists together to use hospital and community data to track injuries and surgical needs across Cameroon, South Africa, and Uganda. It combines two research projects with cores for data management, administration, and local capacity building to strengthen surveillance, prevention, and treatment of surgical conditions. Teams will develop data‑constrained methods suited to low‑resource settings and train local staff to collect and analyze clinical and follow‑up information. The goal is to identify gaps in access and quality and support practical changes that make surgical care more available and safer for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier detection of surgical needs, safer operations, improved follow‑up, and broader access to quality surgical care in participating countries.
How similar studies have gone: Data‑driven quality improvement programs have improved surgical tracking and outcomes in some low‑resource settings, but this multi‑country hub and capacity‑building approach is relatively new in sub‑Saharan Africa.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Buea
Buea, Cameroon Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chichom, Alain Mefire — University of Buea
- Study coordinator: Chichom, Alain Mefire
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.