The WRAIR Commander, Col. Deydre Teyhen visits MUWRP
The Commander addressing MUWRP staff at Headquarters in Nakasero
By: Stephen Mugamba
Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) hosted the Commander of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Colonel (Col.) Deydre S. Teyhen on February 12-14, 2019. The purpose of the visit was to review MUWRP’s research and infrastructure including the Joint Mobile Emerging Disease Intervention Clinical Capability (JMEDICC) activities hosted at Fort Portal Regional Referral hospital. She also visited MUWRP’s laboratories at the Makerere University School of Medicine, and the Emerging Infectious Diseases Program (EIDP) laboratory at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security campus.
During her address to the MUWRP staff at the project’s headquarters, Col. Deydre appreciated the commitment of MUWRP’s research team and recognized MUWRP’s work in promoting global security. “I am greatly impressed by the people here; they are all very special, I love their passion and commitment as well. The research work that you do is important in ensuring mutual safety and survival across the globe”. She highlighted the importance of building partnerships for sustainable research as these ensure trust among the communities.
At the JMEDICC facility, Col. Deydre challenged the team to explore more ways of addressing mental health issues especially in the outbreak setting and emphasized the need to continue diversifying research by including a wide range of research questions that will give solutions to current health problems.
Col. Deydre presented the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service to Monica Millard, the WRAIR Program Director in Uganda, in recognition of her diligent services in supporting the MUWRP Programs and departments to include PEPFAR, LAB, JMEDICC, Research, Administration and EIDP. She also appreciated the entire MUWRP team led by the Executive Director, Dr. Hannah Kibuuka.