Joint Clinical Research Centre

The JCRC FORT PORTAL Regional Centre of Excellence

Overview

The JCRC Fort Portal RCE is located in Fort Portal district, Western Uganda within Buhinga hospital. Currently, this RCE serves seven districts of the Rwenzori region: Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Bundibugyo, Kibale, Kasese, Hoima and Kamwenge. The clinic started in 2001 funded by GTZ under a PMTCT program providing Single Dose Nevirapine to pregnant mothers and their newly born babies. In 2003 JCRC started on a cash and carry arrangement until 2004 when the TREAT program started. On 10th September 2005 Fort portal Clinic was elevated to a regional center for excellence. Currently, 20 staff run the RCE activities.

JCRC, through this RCE has partnered with the Ministry of Health to carry out DNA PCR testing for infants. The Fort Portal RCE laboratory bears the responsibility for testing these samples throughout the Rwenzori region. The RCE also works with a number of HIV prevention partners in the region with whom JCRC signed signed memoranda of understanding in the provision of various services including Laboratory services, and capacity building of Health care workers in HIV/AIDS care and management.

Activities

Operational Research: Four multi-site clinical trials are currently being implemented at the RCE: Pharmaccess African Studies to Evaluate HIV-Drug Resistance Monitoring (PASER), Monitoring Antiretroviral Therapy in Children (MARCH), Europe-Africa Research Network To Evaluate Second-line Therapy (EARNEST) and Affordable Resistance Testing in Africa (ART-A). The site has participated and completed the JCRC Children's Study (JCS) and the NVP-Saliva Studies.

HIV patient care: The current clinical care services at the RCE include Pharmacy, Advanced Clinical Care, Laboratory investigations, Counseling and Adherence, TB monitoring and treatment, treatment for Opportunistic Infections, Health education talks, among others. These services are largely provided under the THALAS , SUSTAIN, CHAI, and MOH programs. Previously, the TREAT program was enrolling and following up patients on HIV care. Outreaches in the six community sites (Ruteete, Kibatsi, Kaihura, Katojo, Kichwamba and Rwimi) also boosted the level of VCT uptake in the region, as well as strengthening local contacts with the community.

Laboratories: These are specialized in HIV diagnostics and monitoring. They include chemistry, virology, haematology, microbiology and immunology.