What We've Accomplished So Far

In April 2003, The PanAfrican Acupuncture Project began training 20 healthcare workers. Based in Kampala, Uganda, the first phase of the project saw three acupuncturists hosting a two-week intensive. The second phase was conducted eight months later.

The initial training was a great success. Under the supervision of trainers Richard Mandell, Lic.Ac., Alison Quiring Lic.Ac., and Debi Shargel Lic.Ac., the Ugandan healthcare workers treated over 20 patients and obtained the skill and knowledge of how to treat several commonly-occuring symptoms with acupuncture.

The follow-up training, held in December 2003, focused on expanding the range of symptoms the trainees could treat. Read a detailed description of the initial training, and notes on the follow-up.

In June 2004, US acupuncturists trained 19 healthcare providers in the rural district of Mbarara. Follow-up trainings took place in October 2004, January 2005, and August 2005.

In May 2005, we conducted the initial training of 21 providers in Mbale. And, in August and again in December 2005, we returned to provide two enrichment trainings.

In December 2005, we traveled to Kyazanga in the District of Masaka to conduct the first training of 23 healthcare providers. And in April and July 2006 we returned to Kyazanga to provide the first and second enrichment trainings.

In December 2006, six licensed acupuncturists traveled to Ibanda, where two concurrent trainings took place at the Ibanda Hospital and at a local health center. There, 34 nurses, nurse midwives, and midwives participated in the initial training. The second training is to occur in April 2007.