MU-JHU Care Ltd with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is set to embark on an important new research initiative: the SMILE-TB study. SMILE-TB stands for Shortened Regimen for Drug-Susceptible TB in Children.
This groundbreaking study will evaluate the effectiveness of a novel 2-month treatment regimen for children under 10 years old diagnosed with non-severe pulmonary and/or lymph node tuberculosis. The aim is to determine whether this shorter regimen is as effective as the current standard treatment.
The SMILE-TB study, scheduled to begin in October 2024, is a three-year project. Each child enrolled will be monitored over a 72-week period, ensuring comprehensive follow-up and data collection.
In preparation for the study, the SMILE-TB team hosted a community engagement meeting on 15th August 2024, at MU-JHU. The meeting brought together TB stakeholders from Mulago Hospital Pediatric TB Unit, KCCA health centers (including Kisenyi, Kawaala, Komamboga, Kisugu, Kiswa, and Kitebi), and Wakiso district health centers (such as Kiira, Kasangati, Bweyogerere, and Nabweru). The purpose of this gathering was to provide stakeholders with a detailed overview of the study, as well as to discuss the roles, involvement, and support required from the various stakeholders to ensure the study’s success.
The engagement with the stakeholders is a vital step towards fostering collaboration, ensuring that the study’s objectives are aligned with the needs and expectations of the community, and ultimately contributing to the global fight against tuberculosis in children.
