Background and Objectives
IDI was established in 2002 in Kampala, Uganda by the Academic Alliance for AIDS Care and Prevention in Africa. The Academic Alliance was founded by a group of infectious diseases experts from Uganda and North America, Dr. Merle A Sande, Dr. Henry A. McKinnell, Jr and Dr. Nelson K Ssewankambo whose vision and perseverance for an Africa free from the burden of infectious disease enabled the IDI to become a world-class center of excellence.
With Pfizer funding, Drs. Sande, McKinnell, and Sewankambo were able to begin training health care workers, treating patients, and conducting cutting-edge research through the Academic Alliance. This public-private partnership aimed to provide excellent care for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Uganda, to train healthcare workers to serve the tens of millions of PLHIV in Africa, to maintain the strategic emphasis on prevention, and to conduct research relevant to improving the outcome of the epidemic.
In 2004, ownership of the Institute was transferred to Makerere University, and the Institute moved into its current building, the McKinnell Knowledge Centre. IDI conducts programmes in:
- Prevention, Care and Treatment,
- Research,
- Health Systems Strengthening,
- Training,
- Laboratory Services, and
- Global Health.
Scope of Research Activities
All recent and most effective scientific formulas, drugs, treatment regimens among other that have saved millions of lives today started as a research project. Research is improving care, producing better out comes and transforming lives every day. At IDI research is a key component. The programme focuses on disease specific research questions. The major aim of research at IDI is to publish and advocate for the translation of research findings into policy and practice in Uganda and Africa in order to strengthen health systems with a strong emphasis on infectious diseases.