Introduction
My name is William Howlett and I come from Wexford, Ireland. I studied medicine at University College Dublin Ireland graduating in 1970. I trained as a general physician and in tropical medicine and first worked in Africa with Christian Aid in 1980-81 in a famine in Northern Uganda. I then spent 9 years (1983-1992) working a physician at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Northern Tanzania supported by Irish aid overseas (APSO). I returned from Africa in 1992 and completed a PhD in tropical neurology at the Centre for International Health, Bergen, Norway. I joined the NHS in England in 1995 where I now work as a Consultant Neurologist. I have returned to Africa each year for the last 7 years to teach at a new medical school at KCMC.
My main contributions to date in Africa have been in the areas of medical care, teaching and research. I am an internationally recognised leader in AIDS and tropical neurology and I would like to contribute further. I plan to spend the next 5 years (2006-11) working and teaching there. I have received a letter of invitation to return to KCMC.
The main aims are to:
- assist patient care
- develop neurology services
- develop undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
- develop teaching material specific for Africa
- develop research appropriate to local needs
- promote links with institutions in Africa and Europe
In order to support myself financially, an "Africa trust fund" has been set up and administered by a solicitor in Ireland specifically to support my work in Africa. The target is approx £65,000 per year for 5 years. Contributions to the fund from individuals and institutions are welcome.