Dr James January who is a Chairperson and lecturer in the Department of Community Medicine and a 1st cohort trainee graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Psychiatry from the Nelson Mandela School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Kwazulu Natal (South Africa) in June 2018. He registered as a part-time PhD candidate in 2016. His project was titled, “Postnatal depression among women attending postnatal services in two rural districts of Chipinge and Mutasa Districts, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe.” The study assessed the criterion validity of the PHQ-9, EPDS and CES-D depression screening tools against the DSM-5 as the gold standard among women attending postnatal care in two rural districts in Zimbabwe. From the study, the pooled prevalence of postnatal depression in the two districts was 25%. The study showed that the three depression screening tools may be useful in screening women for depressive symptoms in postnatal care in Zimbabwe.
Dr January attributes his success in completing the PhD programme on time to excellent supervision from Prof J. Moses Chimbari. He appreciated the support from his supervisors when he said, “The PhD took me as long as I wanted it to be…and with the supervisor I had, that became a reality!”
Dr January also emphasised the importance of time management skills to all PhD students or aspiring students. He said, “In my view, setting aside time for studies on weekly basis e.g. Fridays and Saturdays and strictly following that was my recipe,This was important because time was always a challenge for me because of the multiple roles I have. I am the chairperson of Community Medicine Department, a PERFECT Programme trainee and lecturer as well. All these roles needed attention.”
He urged other PERFECT trainees to pursue PhDs to enhance their research skills.

Dr Tariro Mawoza who is a lecturer in the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and a 1st cohort fellow for the PERFECT Programme at UZCHS graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Medicine from the University of Zimbabwe in September 2017. She registered as a part-time PhD candidate in 2012 and her project was titled “Pharmacological evaluation of Sclerocarya birrea stem bark extract on vascular and extra-vascular smooth muscles”. This was a laboratory based study aimed at determining the effects that a plant, Sclerocarya birrea, has on different tissues in relation to contraction or relaxation effects, plant toxicity and in vitro effects on hypertension.

Graduating with a PhD in Medicine was a great achievement for the Mawoza family and herself. Reflecting on how the family felt when she graduated, she said, “The graduation was such an exciting event for everyone especially my family, as I am the first Mawoza to obtain such a prestigious achievement. The degree took a long time complete; I waited for it for good five years”.

However, the PhD studies were not easy because Dr. Mawoza encountered countless challenges such as delays in getting chemicals from suppliers, animal shortages and laboratory frustrations. Balancing family life, work and studies were also additional challenges. She however fought hard to balance work, family and learning. Jokingly she said, “I always joke with my friends about how during the pursuit of this degree, I not only obtained a PhD but I also got married and had two children during those five years, which of cause, according to me, is a huge achievement!”

During five years of study, she also learnt very important things such as: time management, using new laboratory software and being confident as a researcher. She is also grateful for the funding she received from the Southern Africa Consortium for Research Excellence (SACORE) through the WELLCOME Trust as this enabled her to conduct my PhD with all the resources she needed.

The PERFECT Programme leadership wishes to congratulate three trainees for being awarded grants and fellowships to support their research activities.

Dr. Patience Kuona, a cohort 1 trainee was selected by the Paediatric Association of Zimbabwe to lead a projected funded by UNICEF to the tune of 50,000 USD. The project seeks to promote quality management of acute malnutrition cases in Zimbabwe and to mentor Ministry of Health professionals.

Dr. Wayne Manana, another cohort 1 trainee was awarded, the 2019-2020 Oral and Maxillofacial Oncologic and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery fellowship.

Ms. Rudo Siwela, a cohort 2 trainee has been selected for the TechWomen program which will take place in September in the USA. The TechWomen program is an initiative by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural affairs. The program aims to empower, connect and support the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). With Ms Siwela's keen interest in Musculoskeletal Health, TechWomen mentorship will capacitate her in technological, administrative and entrepreneurial skills. These skills will enable her to translate her research and clinical skills into viable technologies and community projects.

Dr. Munyaradzi Madhombiro who is a Chairperson and lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry and a 1st cohort trainee graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Psychiatry from the Stellenbosch University (South Africa) in December 2018. His project was titled,“An adapted intervention for alcohol use disorders in people living with HIV and AIDS and its impact on alcohol use, general functional ability, quality of life and adherence to HAART: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial.”

In a related development Dr. Madhombiro was awarded the best Post-Doctoral Presentation at Rochester University in the United States of America USA on 1 December 2018. His Post-doctoral topic was titled, “Assessing factors that influence antiretroviral treatment in Young adults in Zimbabwe.” Dr. Madhombiro attributes his success to hard work and determination.