Infection Prevention and Control(IPC)

About IPC

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) at Mbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI) focuses on preventing the spread of infections and promoting a safe and healthy environment for patients, research participants, healthcare workers, and visitors. Through effective hygiene practices, staff training, proper waste management, environmental cleaning, and adherence to infection control guidelines, MCRI strives to minimise infection risks and uphold high standards of safety in healthcare delivery and clinical research.

Training Packages

MCRI Conducts Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Training for Healthcare Workers Amid Ebola Outbreak

Mbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI) conducted an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) sensitisation and training session for healthcare workers in response to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak.

The training focused on strengthening healthcare workers’ knowledge and practices in Ebola prevention and control, including early identification, screening, isolation and notification of suspected cases, proper hand hygiene, appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), environmental cleaning, disinfection and safe waste management.

The initiative aims to enhance infection prevention measures, protect healthcare workers and patients, and strengthen preparedness across MCRI sites to ensure the safe continuity of healthcare services.

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Standard Operating Procedures for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Prevention and Control – May 2026

The Ministry of Health, Uganda, issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide individuals, communities, institutions and service providers in preventing and controlling the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) during the 2026 outbreak response.

The guidelines highlight key preventive measures, including regular handwashing, avoiding unnecessary physical contact, early identification and reporting of suspected cases, proper hygiene, environmental cleaning and disinfection, and safe waste management.

The SOPs also provide specific guidance for mass gatherings, places of worship, markets, public transport and burial ceremonies to minimise the risk of transmission.

The public is encouraged to remain vigilant, observe recommended infection prevention measures and promptly seek medical attention whenever Ebola-like symptoms develop.

For information or to report a suspected Ebola case, contact the Ministry of Health toll-free line on 0800 100 066 or send a free SMS to 6767.

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IPC Activities

Staff Training

Mbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI) conducted an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) staff training focused on preparedness and response to the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak. The training aimed to strengthen staff knowledge and adherence to IPC measures, including early identification and reporting of suspected cases, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, safe patient handling, environmental cleaning and disinfection, waste management, and other measures necessary to prevent and control infection transmission within the healthcare environment.

IPC Supplies

Mbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI) procured and received Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) supplies and equipment to strengthen infection prevention measures across its sites. The supplies will support hand hygiene, use of PPE, environmental cleaning, safe waste management, and preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks, including Ebola Virus Disease. The procured supplies and equipment were also prepared for distribution to other MCRI sites, ensuring that staff across the different locations have access to essential IPC materials and can maintain a safe working environment.

Patience Sensitization

Mbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI) conducted patient sensitization activities across all its sites to raise awareness about Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and promote safe healthcare practices. The sensitization focused on proper hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, personal cleanliness, and awareness of symptoms associated with infectious diseases, including Ebola Virus Disease. Patients were encouraged to report unusual symptoms promptly and follow infection prevention guidance provided by healthcare workers. This initiative aims to strengthen patient participation in infection prevention efforts and enhance MCRI's preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks across all its sites.

Hand washing Facility

Mbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI) strengthened its Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) efforts by ensuring the availability of handwashing facilities across all its sites. The facilities are intended to promote regular hand hygiene among staff, patients, and visitors, helping reduce the risk of infection transmission and supporting preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks, including Ebola Virus Disease. This initiative reinforces MCRI's commitment to maintaining a safe healthcare environment through improved hygiene practices and adherence to infection prevention standards across all its locations.

IPC Gallery

About

Ms. Adyango Catherine is a Human Resource Manager and Senior Grants Professional with over 15 years of experience in managing multimillion-dollar donor portfolios, project operations, and organizational systems strengthening. She currently serves as Human resource Manager at Mbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI), where she leads in Human resource management,  donor compliance, project operations, and institutional capacity building.

At MCRI, Catherine has combined her expertise in grant management and human resources to establish efficient systems that support both research and staff welfare. She played a pivotal role in championing organizational culture reforms, developing HR policies, strengthening staff welfare schemes, and promoting inclusive recruitment processes. She also streamlined adoption of a Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS/ESS), which reduced administrative bottlenecks and improved efficiency across teams.

Her academic background includes a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (Uganda Management Institute), an MSc in Health Services Management, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration & management. Catherine is also pursuing ACCA training, demonstrating her commitment to continuous professional growth.

Catherine’s career reflects a strong commitment to strategic leadership, staff development, and inclusive programming, with a proven ability to balance donor expectations and human resource needs. Her work at MCRI has significantly contributed to building sustainable research capacity, enhancing compliance systems, and creating a supportive work environment that empowers both researchers and administrative staff.

About

Denis Amorut serves as the Study Site Coordinator at the Mbale Clinical Research Institute’s Soroti Site. He is a qualified Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management from the Islamic University in Uganda and a Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing from Soroti School of Registered Comprehensive Nursing. Additionally, he is currently pursuing an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research & Quality Assurance at James Lind Institute, showcasing his commitment to advancing his expertise in clinical research. Denis has an extensive professional background with 12 years in clinical nursing practice and 11 years dedicated to clinical research. He is registered with the Uganda Midwives and Nurses Council, highlighting his professional standing in the healthcare sector.
 
Throughout his career, Denis has held significant positions such as Trial Manager since November 2021 and previously as Study Site Coordinator at Soroti Regional Referral and Teaching Hospital from 2008 to October 2021. He also serves as a member of the Medicine and Therapeutic Committee at the same hospital since 2018. Denis has enriched his knowledge and skills through numerous online courses and certifications in areas like research ethics, data management for clinical studies, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and managing health emergencies like Covid-19. His involvement in various research studies, including the TRACT study, and his roles in hospital committees further demonstrate his dedication to both practice and research in healthcare, focusing on improving patient care through evidence-based practices.

About

Ms. Linda Isabirye serves as the Public and Community Engagement Officer at MCRI, where her role encompasses a variety of tasks aimed at enhancing the Institute’s interaction with both internal and external communities. Her work is divided into two primary focuses: public engagement, where she communicates the Institute’s research and ideas to the public, and community engagement, where she assists others in conducting research and achieving their objectives.

In her community engagement efforts, Linda is involved in developing and sustaining a public engagement and involvement framework for the research program. She identifies local opportunities for community collaboration, nurturing relationships with MCRI’s research scientists, staff, and the broader community.

With over two years of experience, she has worked extensively with diverse community stakeholders. Her responsibilities include coordinating activities for the Community Advisory Board (CAB), designing, and overseeing the execution of Community Engagement (CE) initiatives. These initiatives are crucial for identifying, recruiting, and retaining volunteers, engaging community leadership, and supporting the formation and operation of community peer groups. This includes working with study participants, family support groups, and youth and adolescent groups, among others.

About

Rita Muhindo holds a MSc. Molecular Biology from Staffordshire University, UK. She attained her BSc. Biomedical Laboratory Science and Technology degree from Makerere University and an Advanced Diploma in Health Services Management from Islamic University in Uganda. She joined Mbale Clinical Research Institute in July 2011 as a laboratory technologist participating in setting up various laboratory assays for all clinical trials at the MCRI.

She is currently the laboratory manager of MCRI, a role which involves supervision all laboratory research activities at MCRI main and satellite laboratories. She has over twelve years of experience in managing laboratory clinical research and diagnostics service delivery across several key disciplines including molecular, immunology, hematology, microbiology and clinical chemistry.

She has keen interest in understanding the prevalence of red cell polymorphisms present in Ugandan donor populations. Her main focus of her MSc project was on the prevalence of Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, α-thalassaemia and Haemoglobin S among Ugandan donors. Rita is also keen to explore the effects of these polymorphisms on the resolution of severe anaemia.

About

Dr. Charles Benard Okalebo is a highly qualified professional with a B. Pharm, an MPH, and currently a fellow in Infectious Disease and Field Epidemiology under the EDCTP-funded IDEA fellowship. His background as a pharmacist and public health specialist, combined with his role as a Quality Assurance Officer, has provided him with extensive experience in clinical research. This diverse training has honed his skills in assessing healthcare gaps, identifying problems, and designing projects to address these deficiencies. Dr. Okalebo values accuracy, integrity, quality, and career growth above all.
 
He is an experienced and determined professional in conducting clinical trials for both infectious and non-infectious diseases. With eight years in the research field, he has served as a Pharmacist and Quality Assurance Officer at the Mbale Clinical Research Institute, focusing on various types of clinical trials related to infectious diseases. His involvement spans across all phases of clinical trials (I-III), including protocol design, review, and implementation; navigating regulatory approval processes; managing investigational medicinal products (IMP); monitoring studies; establishing and implementing Quality Management processes; pharmacovigilance; and leading training sessions on the ethical conduct of research. The trials he has participated in include TRACT (ISRCTN84086586), GASTROSAM (ISRCTN76149273), PAC (ISRCTN11594437), FLACSAM (ISRCTN18051843), MIMBLE (ISRCTN10309022), and TABS (ISRCTN49726849) studies.
 
Dr. Okalebo is a dedicated researcher with a keen interest in advancing his career in pharmaco-epidemiology, statistics, and pharmacovigilance.

About

Felix Opio joined the Mbale Clinical Research Institute (MCRI) in April 2014 as Data Manager under the REACH (Realizing Effectiveness Across Continents with Hydroxyurea) ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01966731) which is a prospective, Phase I/II open-label trial of hydroxyurea designed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, long-term risks and benefits of hydroxyurea treatment for children with SCA in four sub-Saharan African countries (Mable Uganda,Kilifi Kenya, Luanda Angola and Kinshasa DRC).

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Gulu University, a post graduate diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from Uganda Management Institute (UMI), Certificate in Project Management Professional from Devimpact Institute Kenya and various other certification in Clinical database development.

He Has 9 years of experience in Clinical Database design and Management, He is Currently overseeing data management work for the REACH study and all the day to day activities of the Project, He is also a member of the internal Clinical Trial Monitoring Unit and A chairperson Procurement Committee for Mbale Clinical Research Institute.

About

Ebitu Caleb Daniel serves as an I.T Support Officer at the Mbale Clinical Research Institute. He is recognized as an accomplished network and systems administrator, who takes pleasure in applying his skills to support and contribute to the technological advancement of research within the institution.
 
Ebitu graduated from Uganda Christian University Mukono with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Over the years, he has also acquired various certifications including CCNA, Information Security, Google Cloud Developer, PMP (Telecom), and Federated Identity Management.

About

Laban has accumulated over four years of experience in managing research financial processes since joining the Mbale Clinical Research Institute on July 1, 2019, as an Accounts Assistant. This experience complements his extensive background of over ten years in the banking sector, where he has previously worked for two banks in roles involving people management, cash management, internal controls, and accountability.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies, specializing in Accounting, from the Islamic University of Uganda. He is currently pursuing a Certificate of Public Accountants (CPA) from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), with only two papers remaining to complete the course.

Driven by an ambition to advance his career in accounting and expand his experience in research-related accounting managed by well-established systems and processes, he believes that MCRI is the ideal place for his professional growth.