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| The US-Cameroon Health Program is a basic humanitarian, social, and clinical science research initiative conceived by Dr. McArthur in the School of Dentistry. The goal of this program is to foster interdisciplinary studies in the U.S. between social, basic and clinical science investigators in Africa. A primary goal is to strengthen the infrastructure of African Research within universities and NGOS and connect them to humanitarian efforts directed at HIV transmission and funded by U.S. biotechnology companies.
African research opportunities for students and residents are extensive and span tropical medicine (malaria, oncocerciasis, AIDS), oral health (salivary gland disease, traditional medicine), ophthalmology, clinical studies (diagnostic test development and evaluation, vaccine and drug trials) and many other aspects of traditional medicine such as the role of scarification in HIV transmission. There are also graduate research opportunities in social science (education, psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science), pharmacology, traditional medicine and nursing(nutrition, education). The program has collaborations with 12 hospitals in Cameroon, two in Congo and one in South Africa with respect to HIV and TB research. It also supports an eye clinic. A TB diagnostic facility supports local hospitals and clinics in the Northwest Province.
Other potential topics of graduate research interest in social science are: empowerment and health promotional strategies for women, role of traditional healing on HIV transmission, impact of herbal remedies on HIV, prostitution and HIV, family care of HIV patients, culturally sensitive counseling methods for HIV, impact of HIV on family structure, children and adolescent HIV education.
 The social Science Director is Dr Lee Rathbone-McCuan who obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburg in social work with a public health emphasis in gerontology, mental health and substance abuse. Her previous international research and education projects have been conducted in Colombia, Kenya, and Romania. Her current research focuses on traditional African and western medical practices, family stigma and inter-generational family care of AIDS patients.
US-Cameroon Health Program (AfiHealth Partnerships Internation) Personnel
Director: Carole McArthur M.D., Ph.D., mcarthurc@umkc.edu
Social Science Director: Eloise Rathbone-McCuan, Ph.D., rathbone-mccuane@umkc.edu
Science Director: Melissa Sander, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Microbiologist:
Roland Ndip, Ph.D.
Henry Meriki, M.S.
Justina Ongey, M.S.
Annette Ngiti, M.S.
Joman Nzynuy, B.S.
 Cameroon Coordinator: Aboubaka Kindzekar
Assistant: Mariama Kindzeka , B. A.
Health Educators :
Julius Tangem, B.Sc.
Medical Personnel:
Paul Achu, M.D.
E. Hertz, M.D
J. Wefuan, M.D.
T. Parr, M.B.B.S.
L. Ayuk, M.D.
Nursing:
Evelyn Awetunge, R. N.
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