Topic of Research Project

Investigating outcomes and factors associated with prolonged hospitalisation among children with Acute chest syndrome with sickle cell disease in Mulago National Referral Hospital.

Nabukeera Aisha Masimbi, MBCHB (Islamic University in Uganda, Habib Medical school), Degree fellow on the Enrich program in my final year of residency in Paediatrics and Child Health at Makerere University.
I am a dedicated medical doctor driven by a commitment to improve the quality of healthcare for the most vulnerable children. My clinical work at the Mulago National Referral Hospital paediatric haematology ward and sickle cell clinic has exposed me to the profound burden of Sickle cell disease. I have witnessed the devastating impact of Acute chest syndrome as a leading cause of mortality and prolonged costly hospitalization for these children and the family.
This experience has shaped my research focus: investigating outcomes and factors associated with prolonged hospitalisation among children with Acute chest syndrome with sickle cell disease in Mulago National Referral Hospital.
My project moves beyond documenting the problem, it seeks to identify the key predictors whether clinical, laboratory, or systemic that delay recovery with the ultimate goal of developing a risk-stratification tool that can streamline care, reduce length of stay, and improve resource allocation in a high-volume, resource-limited setting.
My motivation for the ENRICH program is to elevate rigor of this critical work through advanced training in research methodology, data analysis, and implementation science, and build leadership and collaborative skills to effectively translate findings into tangible policy and clinical practice changes.
I believe that sustainable improvement in Paediatric care requires clinicians who are not only skilled at the bedside but also equipped to generate local evidence and advocate for systemic change. With the ENRICH program, i aim to emerge from this fellowship as an independent Paediatric-scientist, capable of leading a robust research agenda in Paediatric hematology and contributing to the transformation of child health outcomes in Uganda and beyond.