Malawi HIV Implementation Research Scientist Training Program (MHIRST)

Kamuzu University Of Health Sciences, Blantyre

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The Malawi National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS (2023-27) has set an ambitious goal of achieving a 90% reduction in annual number of HIV infections by 2027 from the 2010 baseline. Guided by this plan and buoyed by the current 95/95/95 achievements in HIV control, Malawi’s efforts are now focused on maintaining a high coverage of HIV interventions and expanding evidence-based interventions in strategic and cost-effective ways. The plan addresses emerging challenges such as natural disasters that disrupt HIV service delivery, ageing HIV population resulting in comorbidities, diminishing HIV resources requiring efficient delivery of interventions and localized HIV infections within specific geographical areas and sub-populations requiring targeted interventions. Since 2015, the Malawi HIV Implementation Research Scientist Training (M-HIRST) program, a collaborative program between Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) and University of North Carolina, has made significant contributions that lay a strong foundation for sustainable Malawi-led HIV control programs. Our first post-doctoral fellows have now achieved leadership positions in academia, have established research track records in implementation science including grant acquisition and trainee supervision, and will serve as faculty for this award. A strong pipeline of master’s and PhD candidates has been established for further development. Our trainees have contributed to 124 peer-reviewed publications. Institutional strengthening has taken place at KUHeS including transition of implementation science short courses and leadership training into Master’s training programs and the Research Support Center, and enhanced grants management expertise. The MHIRST program is now well-poised to build upon its success to expand the pool and skills of its implementation science trainees in the utilization of technologies such as GIS modelling, data science and mobile-health that can contribute towards addressing emerging challenges in HIV service delivery in the national HIV program. In this renewal application, the MHIRST program evolves to transition leadership to KUHES as the grant recipient and expands our implementation science research training focus to include data science while strengthening implementation science research on the effects of and solutions to natural disasters on health service delivery within the Ministry of Health and HIV service partners. The 2025-2030 MHIRST Program has the following aims: 1) To expand the pool of early-stage investigators with IS and data science research skills in Malawi through research support of degree programs, 2) To develop and strengthen the implementation research and data science skills of early stage investigators through research support, mentorship, and internship placement, 3) To provide targeted short courses in Implementation Science technology (Data Science, m-health, GIS, disaster impacts) that facilitates the development of policy-relevant collaborative research projects.