The Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (TERID) Research Hub

Strengthening Africa’s response to infectious disease threats through research excellence, collaboration, and capacity building

Overview

The TERID Research Hub, anchored at Makerere University, Uganda, is a pioneering initiative aimed at strengthening Africa’s response to the growing threat of Emerging and re-emerging Infectious Diseases. These diseases, including Ebola, malaria, cholera, neglected tropical diseases, and antimicrobial resistance, pose significant public health challenges, exacerbated by climate change, globalization, and weak disease surveillance systems.

With Africa contributing over 80% of the global infectious disease burden, it is imperative to establish a robust and multidisciplinary research ecosystem that can drive policy change, enhance early detection, and develop sustainable interventions. The TERID Research Hub seeks to address these challenges by leveraging research excellence, institutional collaboration, and capacity-building efforts to strengthen infectious disease control and prevention.

Research Focus

The hub is structured around four key thematic areas that underpin its research and intervention strategies:

1. Surveillance, Preparedness, and Response

Strengthening data acquisition and analysis to facilitate early detection and rapid response to disease outbreaks.

2. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

Enhancing healthcare resilience to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases, particularly in low-resource settings.

3. One Health and Planetary Health

Examining the interconnections between human health, environmental changes, and disease outbreaks to promote holistic solutions.

4. Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship

Investigating the drivers of antimicrobial resistance and strategies for sustainable antimicrobial use.

Institutional Partners

The TERID Research Hub works in collaboration with key partners to advance research, training, and policy influence in infectious diseases:

Makerere University

Hub anchor institution in Uganda, leading research and coordination efforts

University of Rwanda

Key African partner contributing expertise in regional disease surveillance and control

Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute

Global partner providing technical expertise and international research collaboration

Building Research and Training Capacity

Central to the TERID hub’s mission is the development of the next generation of African researchers. The hub integrates the CARTA model of research capacity building, offering training programs for early-career scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and doctoral students.

Mentorship programs connecting junior researchers with established scientists
Research training workshops to enhance methodological skills
Knowledge translation initiatives to bridge research and policy
Grant writing workshops and resource mobilization strategies
 

By embedding CARTA’s proven methodologies into its framework, the TERID Research Hub is poised to enhance Africa’s ability to detect, prevent, and respond to infectious disease threats, ultimately contributing to stronger public health systems and improved global health security.

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