With a strong history of collaboration across Africa, the Center has developed a robust hub of mental health research, training, and implementation in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Through long-standing partnerships with academic institutions, health systems, and community organizations, the CGMH works alongside local colleagues to strengthen mental health services, build research and clinical capacity, and co-develop evidence-based interventions that are responsive to local priorities. These sustained collaborations span multiple locations and projects and have led to the creation of the East Africa Training Partnership, which fosters education, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities for trainees and professionals across research partner sites.
Kenya
Since joining AMPATH (Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare) in Kenya in 2006, the Duke Global Health Institute has expanded its partnerships across the country, including with Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and Maseno University. These collaborations have supported long-standing relationships with academic institutions, health systems, and community organizations. CGMH faculty affiliates lead a range of research and implementation initiatives throughout Kenya, with a focus on digital mental health, child and family mental health, and community-engaged research.
Featured Site:
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH)
Representative Projects in Kenya
Partner Profiles
Florence Jaguga, Robina Momanyi, Matt Turissini, Leslie Anane, Paul Oburu
Tanzania
The Duke Global Health Institute has maintained long-standing partnerships in Tanzania for more than 20 years, providing a strong foundation for sustained collaboration in research, training, and health systems strengthening. Building on this strong foundation, CGMH leadership and faculty affiliates have extensive experience working across diverse regions of Tanzania, partnering with local institutions, clinicians, researchers, and community members to co-develop, implement, and scale up mental health interventions.
Featured Site:
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC)
As a large zonal referral hospital located in Moshi, CGMH faculty work alongside multiple departments at KCMC—including the Department of Mental Health and Psychology—to strengthen mental health service capacity and expand research infrastructure. CGMH also supports training initiatives through KCMC University and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo). Mental health projects at KCMC span a wide range of focus areas, including adolescent mental health, support for people living with HIV (PLWH), and the integration of mental health services into primary care and other clinical departments. CGMH affiliate and co-site leader of the KCMC–Duke University Collaboration, Dr. Dorothy Dow, leads Sauti ya Vijana, a group-based mental health and life skills intervention developed with and for Tanzanian youth living with HIV to address mental health needs and broader life challenges. CGMH Associate Director Dr. Brandon Knettel conducts collaborative work focused on the development and testing of IDEAS for Hope, a telehealth-based counseling intervention for people living with HIV who experience suicidal ideation, with the goal of improving safety, coping, and linkage to care. In addition, CGMH Associate Professor Dr. Emily Cherenack has conducted research through KCMC and other partnerships in Moshi examining the intersections of mental health and menstrual health among adolescent girls in Tanzania. Across Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region, these partnerships underscore CGMH’s sustained commitment to strengthening mental health systems through long-term and community-driven collaboration.
Representative Projects in Tanzania
Partner Profiles
Blandina Mmbaga, Kim Madundo, Janeth Sabuni, Florence Kimario
Rwanda
The CGMH is expanding partnerships in Rwanda through collaboration with the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE). In line with the Center’s mission to strengthen regional mental health capacity, current initiatives include workshops and grant-writing support to advance implementation of the WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP)—a strategy for scaling up mental health services by training non-specialist health workers. Rwanda is also a key country in the Center’s East Africa Training Partnership, supporting regional collaboration, workforce development, and sustainable training initiatives in mental health.
Representative Projects in Rwanda
Partner Profiles
Augustine Ndaimani
Uganda
The CGMH is expanding partnerships in Uganda, including collaborations with Makerere University—a longstanding partner of the Duke Global Health Institute—and the Mental Health Division of Uganda’s Ministry of Health. As a key country in the Center’s East Africa Training Partnership, Uganda plays an important role in fostering cross-institutional and regional collaboration, including participation in joint learning workshops and grant-writing initiatives.
CGMH students and leadership with Dr. Kenneth Kalani Okware, Senior Medical Officer at the Mental Health Division of Uganda’s Ministry of Health
Partner Profiles
Mayanja Kajumba, Kenneth Kalani Okware
South Africa
CGMH faculty affiliates maintain partnerships with several universities and organizations in South Africa, including the University of Cape Town (UCT), Stellenbosch University, and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). Current and past research in South Africa spans climate change and mental health, digital mental health innovations, and the intersection of sexual, reproductive, and mental health.
Representative Projects in South Africa
Partner Profiles
Sian Hemmings, Caradee Wright