Collaborations between Makerere University and University of Minnesota Pediatric faculty began in 2002, when Drs. Chandy John (then at Case Western Reserve University) and Richard Idro collaborated on a study of clinical presentations of malaria in Kabale, Uganda. Subsequently, collaboration continued with Dr. Idro, Dr. Opoka and Dr. Paul Bangirana on study of neurocognitive deficits after cerebral malaria, done in collaboration with Dr. Michael Boivinat of Michigan State University). This study has led to several ongoing research studies and a training grant as outlined below;

The main objective of this program is to let MakCHS students experience the life and practice of medicine in a resource endowed part of the world, as far as prevention strategies, management of patients, and continuity of care with hospice, and to make comparisons in the disease patterns between the developed and developing countries and understand the factors that influence these patterns. During the year, six students were facilitated by the International Coordination office to undertake clinical clerkship at Des Moines University.