As Sweden continues to phase out its support in research to public universities in Uganda, we cought up with the Dr. Phyllis Awor - a beneficiary of Sweden's support both at PhD and post-doc level. She is currently the head of the Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI) in Uganda, within the Makerere University School of Public Health. Here is what she had to share with us.
Andrew: Thank you for agreeing to meet with me and being part of this interview. Can you tell us about who you are and what you do?
Dr. Phyllis: My name is Phyllis Awor; I lead the Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI) hub in Uganda, hosted by Makerere University School of Public Health. I am a medical doctor, a health systems researcher and an innovations leader. I have a Master of Science in International Health through the Erasmus mundus program, where I was based at the Universities of London, Copenhagen and Bergen. After my masters' studies, I came back to work to work on a research project at Makerere University School of Public Health. Here I met Prof. Stefan Petersson (from Karolinska Institute, coordinator of the health support program funded by Sida) who encouraged me to start my PhD studies and he later became my supervisor.
Andrew: Tell us about your PhD program.
Dr. Phyllis: In 2012 I undertook my PhD studies, as a collaboration between Karolinska Institute in Sweden, Makerere University and the University of Bergen in Norway. My research focused on innovative approaches to improve management of fever in children who seek care in the private sector, in rural Uganda. This is because all our annual surveys consistently showed that more than half of all sick children in Uganda obtain treatment at private sector clinics and drug shops. We therefore took the WHO/UNICEF recommended strategy for integrated community case management (iCCM) of malaria pneumonia and diarrhea in children, which is for public sector community health workers, and piloted this approach within private sector drug shops. The results of this research were positive. We exponentially improved the quality of treatment of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea in children at drug shops, when we introduced the iCCM training, diagnostic tests and appropriate medicines at this level.
I am currently completing my postdoctoral program, also with funding from SIDA.
Andrew: Do you feel that your PhD program has benefitted Uganda as a country?
Dr. Phyllis: Definitely! There are many benefits of my PhD research to the country. First, we have contributed to the evidence on how to work with the private sector to improve how they treat sick children. We showed that empowering drug shops to manage fever in children correctly, directly contributes to increased access to health care as well as timely access to health care for children, through the private sector.
Secondly, my PhD research work was identified by the Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI) as a strong example of an effective, scalable and innovative intervention for improving access to health care in low and middle income settings. I now lead the SIHI hub in Uganda, which conducts research on innovations countrywide, and provides capacity building for health innovators, implementers, policy makers and other stakeholders.
Andrew: How have your PhD and Post-Doc programs helped you in the advancement of your career?
Dr. Phyllis:
In two ways:
I am now an independent child health researcher in Uganda, and I mainly conduct operational research – to provide best options for improving the health system and health care delivery. For example, I manage a 1.5 million dollar severe malaria operational research project in Uganda, in partnership with Swiss TPH and with funding from Unitaid.
Secondly, as the director of the social innovations hub in Uganda, my PhD and post-doctoral research have enabled me to pass on research, and project management skills to other health innovators.
Andrew: Tell us about the Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI).
Dr. Phyllis: SIHI is a global network of institutions and individuals whose mission is to transform healthcare delivery through the use of community based health innovation and research. In Uganda, SIHI was launched in 2017 and the SIHI hub is based at the School of Public Health, Makerere University. Sweden is one of the largest contributors to this initiative globally.
SIHI Uganda identifies community based innovations that improve various aspects of the health sector; conducts research on these innovations; and enhances the research and management capacity of the innovators, in order to improve their impact. We also advocate for use and scale up of these effective innovations by relevant stakeholders, including policy makers and funders.
We aim to provide sustainable solutions that can last beyond funding opportunities by utilizing a bottom-up approach when designing innovations.
For more information on SIHI, visit: www.socialinnovationinhealth.org
Andrew: Since you completed your PhD program, how has Makerere University benefited from your expertise?
Dr. Phyllis: Since I completed my PhD, I have supervised 8 Masters' students and currently co-supervise 3 PhD students. Through SIHI, which is still under Makerere University, we have supported over 10 health-based innovations through training and capacity building, and I shall continue to support the research function within the university through the expertise I have acquired through my PhD training and post-doc research.
I have also been able to build research collaborations within and beyond the health sector in Uganda.
Andrew: How has your research work, both at SIHI and your PhD and post-doc programs impacted the health sector in Uganda?
Dr. Phyllis: Our research has informed and contributed to changes in policy at national level, which now allow drug shops within communities to carry out rapid diagnostic tests for malaria. My work has also informed a program by the Ministry of Health where they are training drug shops to use these diagnostic tests. This has inadvertently increased the number of health workers that manage malaria cases at the community level in Uganda.
My PhD provided me with the tools I needed to step out and make a difference, which has helped me in my work, especially at SIHI.
Andrew: What personal challenges do you feel you are facing despite the completion of your PhD and postdoctoral research?
Dr. Phyllis: Personally, I have found that the work load and number of projects I am undertaking have given me limited time to spend with my family. I have a very supportive husband who has helped me take care of our 3 children while I am occupied, and I know that the work I am doing will definitely benefit them as well.
Andrew: Aside from your professional achievements, have you been able to benefit from the support you received from Sweden in any other way?
Dr. Phyllis: I learned the importance of professional integrity during the time I spent in Scandinavia. The importance of meaning what I say and delivering on my word were strengthened, as well as early communication once I realized that a target might be getting off track. I also learned the importance of financial integrity, both in the work place and at home. These are values that shall stay with me for the rest of my life.
Andrew: Do you have anything else you would like to share with us?
Dr. Phyllis: I would like to appreciate the support that I received from the Swedes, that has enabled me to transform my life and make a big difference in my country as well. Without this support I would never have been able to develop my career and implement all the projects that I am now in charge of.
So thank you very much.
