Makerere don wins inaugural Greenwood Africa Award

Paediatrician, Dr Richard Idro, who lectures at Makerere University's College of Health Sciences, has won the inaugural Greenwood award.

Idro, a paediatric neurologist at Mulago Hospital, has been recognised for his in-depth research on infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to a statement issued by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Idro will receive the award on March 5.

"The award will be conferred at LSHTM's graduation ceremony on March 5, 2019. Dr Idro will be resident at LSHTM from Tuesday, March 5 to Friday, March 8, based in the Department of Clinical Research. He will deliver the Greenwood lecture hosted by LSHTM's Malaria Centre, on Thursday, March 7, entitled: Severe Malaria, Nodding Syndrome and Wisdom Teeth," the statement noted.

The award, which was launched last year, is awarded every three years, at the LSHTM graduation ceremony.

"The Greenwood Africa Award recognises the research achievements and future potential of a mid-career African scientist in contributing to the control of infectious disease in sub-Saharan Africa. It is awarded to an individual who shows exceptional promise as an African research leader," LSHTM officials added in their statement.

Professor Sir Brian Greenwood, British physician, biomedical research scientist, and academic, has spent over 50 years carrying out research in Africa.

LSHTM officials said that Prof. Greenwood's research has had an extensive impact on major infectious diseases including malaria, meningitis, pneumonia and Ebola.

Idro is a visiting research fellow in Tropical Medicine at the University of Oxford.