About usWhat is IDI?
IDI is a centre of excellence, which is part of Uganda’s preeminent medical training institution, the Makerere University College of Health Sciences. IDI is registered as a non-government organization, is owned by Makerere University, and is funded by both public and private resources. IDI’s focus is strengthening care and treatment of HIV and related infectious diseases – for people living with HIV across Africa. IDI facilitates this through offering high quality training for health workers; research on best practices related to HIV in low resource settings; and advanced clinical services that support the development of new models of care.
Why Does IDI Exist?
IDI was established in 2004 to support the rapid development of health care capacity in Uganda and the region, to enable scale up of HIV treatment. IDI started at a time when ART was becoming more available, but there were not enough trained and skilled human resources to roll it out. In addition, there was insufficient research on effective models for treatment roll out in the African context; it was not clear whether lessons from other parts of the world would be applicable, and indigenous research was required. There was also the recogntion that as ART evolved, new challenges would arise – including drug toxicities, the need for second line therapy, and emerging opportunistic infections and conditions.
Since its establishment, IDI’s mandate has expanded to cover HIV prevention, malaria, TB and capacity building in research and laboratory services. IDI also has outreach programmes in several districts across Uganda.
What Are IDI’s Programmatic Areas?
How is IDI Governed?
Makerere University — IDI’s owner — has appointed an independent Board of Directors, made up of senior representatives from a variety of constituencies related to IDI’s work. The senior management team is an experienced group, backed by sound and transparent financial and general management systems. Features include regular internal and external audits, strong IT support, well established systems for grants management, and quarterly programme reporting based on a well-developed monitoring and evaluation system.
How Can Partnerships Help Reduce the Burden of Infectious Diseases in Africa?
Significant challenges can be effectively addressed through committed people working together to arrive at solutions. We are constantly looking for people and institutions who are interested in partnering to implement programmes; who can join in the process of advocating and responding to issues that are important to people living with HIV; and who wish to provide resources to help reduce the burden of infectious diseases in Africa.
Makerere University
Makerere University is one of the oldest universities in East Africa. The Makerere University College of Health Sciences is Uganda’s most important health training institution, and one of the best in the region. This relationship has played a critical role in IDI’s development as a centre of excellence.
