INTRODUCTION

 The Department of Haematology made tremendous improvements in the just ended year. The third year curriculum was delivered to the satisfactory of the department as there was no failure in the class. The Medical Laboratory curriculum of Haematology was delivered in conjunction with the MLT department. The performance of the students was also very good. During the year tremendous efforts were made to improve the staffing of the department so that the department can participate fully in the clinical service provision. The department identified one member of staff, Dr T Latham, through VSO who joined the department in February, 2008. Dr. Y. Mlombe, who was on study leave reported for duties in December 2007 after completing his MMed in Internal Medicine. In September 2008, the department conducted its first CPD workshop which was well attended.

 STAFFING

 The Department is currently staffed as follows:

 Prof J E Chisi                          -           Associate Professor and HOD

Dr. Kamija Phiri                      -           Lecturer

Dr.Yohannie Mlombe             -           Lecturer

Dr Tom Latham                      -           Lecturer VSO

Mr. H. Malata                         -           Lecturer in MLT

Dr B. Chosamata                    -           Assistant Lecturer (On study leave)

Dr. Samuel Wassmer               -           Honorary Lecturer

Mrs. Mary Kyumba                 -           Secretary

Mr. S. Lembani                       -           Messenger

 Members of the department meet weekly for a departmental meeting chaired by the Head of Department.

 UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING

 The bulk of teaching of Haematology was in 3^rd Year. The old curriculum of teaching Haematology in Pathology blocks (3 blocks) was used this year. This was well received by staff. However, the department was also involved in the teaching of MLT which was carried out by the members of department with help in MLT department coordinated by Dr. S. Kamiza. The Honorary Lecturers also taught 3^rd years with emphasis in anaemia. Overall there were 49 students in this year’s class.  Out of 49 students, 11 (eleven) passed with credits, 34 (thirty four) passes,2 (two) got distinctions and 2(two did not sit for exams.

 The coming year 2009, brings a few more teaching challenges as there are some curricula changes. Haematology department shall now be involved in teaching Year 1 in the new curriculum, while it continues teaching Year 2 and 3 using the old Pathology block teaching curriculum. Dr K Phiri will be coordinating the Year 2 teaching programme.

 EXTERNAL EXAMINER

 Prof. Phillip Badenhorst from the University of Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa served as External Examiner for the second time.

 RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

The Department has submitted a research application to TWAS aiming to investigate the Effects of Trypanosoma Brucei Rhodesiense Infection on the Haematopoetic Stem/Progenitor Cells.

 Prof. J.E. Chisi – (HOD) is involved/Supervising the following studies:

Feasibility of Introducing Wristbands for Patient Identification In a Teaching Hospital in Malawi  - This study will examine current practices for patient identification and provide education for the introduction of wristbands to improve patient identification in QECH. The project has been approved for funding by ICCBA and will be conducted in 2009.

Analysis of Virus-Host and Virus-Drug Interactions in Malawi :  The study designed by Drs. Chisi and Yang will examine the interactions of HIV-1 sequences with the environment in Malawi (the genetic background of Malawians and the drug treatments being utilized in this Country)

 Male Genital Schistomiasis and HIV- 1 Viral Shedding Study – This study  Prof. J. Chisi is the Principal Investigator.   The study aims   at investigating the relationship between Schistomiasis infection (a parasite) and HIV in men.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Staff members of the department are actively involved in research:

 Dr Kamija Phiri leads various studies listed below:

Intermittent Preventive Therapy post-discharge (IPTpd) study: This is a clinical trial in children aiming to investigate if intermittent preventive therapy with Coartem in the post-discharge management of severe malaria anaemia, or a single (6-dose) treatment course of ACT on discharge, significantly improves haematological recovery in Malawian children. This study has so far recruited and followed up 1157 of 1308 children originally planned in Blantyre, Chikwawa, Zomba and Thyolo hospitals. It is funded by NACCAP, UBS Optimus and Gates Malaria Partnership.

HIV-iron study: This is a clinical trial in children being conducted in Thyolo and Zomba hospitals. This study aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of iron supplementation in HIV infected children. Dr Michael Esan, a PhD student, is conducting this study under the supervision of Dr Phiri. It is funded by NACCAP.

ACTs in action (ACTia): This is a community-based cluster randomised study investigating the safety and effectiveness of combination therapies with repeated treatments for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria over a three-year period. This study is being set up in Chikwawa. It is funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Malaria Post-discharge iron therapy (MaPit): This is a randomised controlled trial of oral iron therapy for treatment of post-malaria iron-deficiency anaemia in Malawian children comparing immediate post-discharge versus delayed treatment on iron uptake and haematological response. This study has been submitted to NIH and EDCTP for funding.

Dr Samuel Wassmer is supervising the following studies:

Ex vivo combined co-cultures of host cells, plasma and parasites isolated from patients: a new approach to cerebral malaria pathogenesis: The main objective of this project is to dissect potential interactions between the different host and parasite components present within brain post-capillary venules leading to microvascular dysfunction in severe malaria. This will be assessed by co-culturing endothelial cells, parasites, and platelet-rich plasma isolated from the same patients. This project is funded by the Wellcome Trust and is set up at the MLW laboratories and the QECH.

Dysregulation of coagulation in Cerebral Malaria: This is a study aiming at analyzing the modification of coagulation factors inherent in paediatric cerebral malaria. It is funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Dr Tom Latham has proposed and is establishing the following studies:

Feasibility of introducing wristbands for patient identification in a teaching hospital in Malawi:  This study will examine current practices for patient identification and provide education for the introduction of wristbands to improve patient identification in QECH. The project has been approved for funding by ICCBA and will be conducted in 2009.

Lactate, a product of glycolytic metabolism, causes coordinate changes in gene expression through histone deacetylase inhibition- manuscript in preparation.