UHSM’s Academy and pharmaceutical giant Pfizer have launched a novel Anti-Fungal Preceptorship Programme designed to educate infectious diseases experts and other physicians from the Africa-Middle East region about best practice in the diagnosis and management of fungal infections.

Professor Malcolm Richardson and Professor David Denning from UHSM's Mycology Reference Centre have developed and coordinated the scientific programme which aims is to teach delegates about practices in UHSM and then transfer their new knowledge into their own settings, ultimately helping to improve patient care in the their own countries.
The first preceptorship programme took place in early October 2010, and was attended by 10 infectious disease specialists, haematologists, ICU specialists, and physicians. They participated in lectures, interactive discussion sessions, case presentations, laboratory tours and ward rounds. They were able to see the UHSM facilities and call on the expertise of the staff.

The main focus of the programme is on early diagnosis and treatment and the aim is to provide the participants with guidance on best practice and insights into diagnosis and treatment that they can apply in their own centres. The programme concentrates on respiratory fungal infections, although the mycology workshop is broader, encompassing fungal infections in immunocompromised haematology patients. The programme will be repeated for 12 more delegates from Africa and the Middle East in late November 2010.