Richard Iwa Idro is a Ugandan pediatric neurologist, researcher and academic, who serves as an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at Makerere University College of Health Sciences.[1]
Richard Idro | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 May 1970 |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Citizenship | Uganda |
| Alma mater | Makerere University (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) (Master of Medicine in Pediatrics) University of Amsterdam (Doctor of Philosophy) Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health) |
| Occupation(s) | Pediatrician, Researcher, Academic |
| Years active | 2001 — present |
| Known for | Medicine, Research |
Early life and education
editIdro was born in Moyo, Uganda in 1970. After attending local primary and secondary schools, he was admitted to Makerere University School of Medicine, graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree. In 2001, he was awarded a Master of Medicine degree in Pediatrics by the same medical school. His degree of Doctor of Philosophy was awarded by the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, in 2008. He specialized as a pediatric neurologist.[2][3]
In October 2022, he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (FRCPCH) of the United Kingdom. It is the highest recognition that can be bestowed to a pediatrician in the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations.[4]
Career
editDr Richard Idro is a specialized pediatrician, with super specialization as a neurologist. His research interests include HIV/AIDS in adolescents, the interactions between HIV and malaria, and the prognostic features of cerebral malaria, among other topics. Recently, his work has expanded into studies of brain injury in sickle cell anemia, viral encephalitis and childhood epilepsy.[5]
He also concurrently serves as an Honorary Consultant Pediatrician and Pediatric Neurologist at Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH), in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. MNRH is the teaching hospital of Makerere University College of Health Sciences.[5][6]
He is a leading authority on Nodding disease, an ill-understood pediatric mental condition, characterized by seizures, mental retardation and stunted growth. The cause remains unknown and there was no known cure, as of 2019.[7]
Honors and awards
editIn February 2019, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) announced Dr Richard Idro as the winner of the Greenwood Africa Award 2019. The award comprises (a) a medal (b) one week of residence at the LSHTM (c) The winner will be required to give a Greenwood Lecture (d) During the week of residence at LSTMH in London, the winner is required to interact with relevant academics and give seminars as the situation may warrant. The award is restricted to mid-level medical researchers in infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. It is awarded every three years and Dr. Idro is the first ever recipient.[5][6][8]
Other considerations
editHe is a member of the eight-person board of directors of Global Health Uganda, a non-profit organization that aims at improving pediatric health research in Uganda.[9]
References
edit- ^ Richard Idro (2 October 2018). "Offer every Ugandan family access to women's hospital". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ Musawo Uganda (2018). "Specialist Details: Dr. Idro Iwa Richard, MBChB, MMed (Peads), PhD". Kampala: Msawoug.com. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ Richard I. Idro (2008). "University of Amsterdam: Seizures in children with acute falciparum malaria: Risk factors, mechanisms of neuronal damage and neuro-protection: Thesis For The Award Of The Degree Of Doctor of Philosophy: Curriculum Vitae" (PDF). University of Amsterdam. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ Norbert Atukunda (4 November 2022). "UK college honours Ugandan doctor for professionalism". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- ^ a b c London School of Tropical Medicine (Hannah Gladstone) (21 February 2019). "Greenwood Lecture: Severe Malaria, Nodding Syndrome and Wisdom Teeth". London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ a b Makerere University (21 February 2019). "Mak's Dr. Richard Idro Scoops LSHTM Inaugural Greenwood Africa Award 2019". Kampala: Makerere University. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ Halima Abdallah (20 April 2019). "Dr Idro: Passionate About Children's Health". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ Mukhaye, Damali (27 February 2019). "Makerere don scoops research award on nodding syndrome". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ Global Health Uganda (2019). "Global Health Uganda: Board of Directors". Kampala: Global Health Uganda. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
External links
edit- About The Greenwood Africa Award
- Interview With Dr Richard Idro As of May 2008.