Africa Academy for Public Health (AAPH) is an independent non-profit organization registered in Tanzania with the mission to address public health priority challenges in sub Saharan Africa through innovative scientific evidence, training & capacity building and knowledge translation. AAPH provides a platform for north-south and south-south learning to develop collaborative and sustainable research and programs, with the aim to benefit population health. The Africa Academy for Public Health (AAPH) incorporated in 2009, evolved from 40 years of public health research collaborations between the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a number of public health research and training institutions in Tanzania. Now headquartered in Dar es Salaam – Tanzania, AAPH works with a range of individuals as well as organizations, allowing ample opportunities for professional collaborations and networks.
AAPH collaborators include; the Tanzania Ministry of Health, President’s Office, Regional and Local Administration (PO-RALG), Tanzania Medicines & Medical Devices Authority, National Bureau of Statistics, Office of Chief Government Statistician Zanzibar, Ifakara Health Institute, Management and Development for Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), University of Dodoma, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPS), Heidelberg Institute of Global Health University of Heidelberg, centers of excellence in USA, Germany, UK and Switzerland, other governmental, non-governmental and international like-minded organizations and institutions. This network provides a range of technical expertise, capabilities and perspectives which provide a unique set of resources in advancing public health in Tanzania, sub-Saharan African and worldwide.
AAPH with its rich team of staff is self-sufficient in research expertise including research design and implementation, program design and planning, development and management of data systems, data analysis, monitoring and evaluation, epidemiology, training, and policy dialogue. With these AAPH has successfully consulted on and conducted a wide range of health-related research including healthcare facility-based and community-based studies. The studies focus on maternal, adolescent and child health interventions, safety monitoring of medical products, nutrition, mental health, population health and health systems, HIV/AIDS, and TB just to mention a few. In addition, AAPH conducts diverse training programs in Research Methodology, Grant Writing and Management, Implementation Science and Health Economic Evaluation among others.
AAPH is committed to being the premier provider of innovative public health research and health systems training activities for the benefit of the community by advancing public health priorities through ground-breaking research, training, capacity building and knowledge translation. In this, we uphold our core values; excellence, integrity, collaboration, innovation, community empowerment, sustainability and investing in people.
In collaboration with MUHAS and HSPS, AAPH has hosted a series of annual scientific symposia and workshops since 2014. These are part of the capacity building component of the Implementation Science grant hosted at MUHAS and supported by AAPH and HSPH.
This year’s symposium was titled “Advancing Implementation Science on Delivery of Essential Interventions and Services for Improving Women and Adolescents Health and Nutrition in Tanzania” on Thursday the 20th of January 2022 at Serena Hotel Dar es Salaam. The symposium provided a platform for local and international public health experts in the health sector, development partners, and government agencies to discuss priority public health issues using locally generated scientific evidence. The goal was to celebrate scientific advances in the public health field, to iron out the challenges, and together chart collaborative opportunities that are ahead.
Proceedings featured the AAPH 2nd Strategic Plan Launching by Hon. Ummy Mwalimu – MP and Tanzania Minister of Health. This 2022 – 2026 strategic plan aims to improve and streamline priority research, training, and public health policy advocacy in order to best serve our clients - the community. It sets clear and specific goals for the time period while addressing limitations and setting a stage for excellence.
Among the guests were Hon. Ummy Mwalimu MP - Tanzania Minister of Health who was the Guest of Honour; Dr. Donald J Wright - Ambassador of the USA to Tanzania; Dr. Abel Makubi - Permanent Secretary at the Tanzania Ministry of Health; Prof. Mark Elliot - Chairperson of the AAPH Board of Directors; AAPH Founding Members and Board Members; Representatives from Government Agencies, Higher Learning and Research Institutions, and Non-Governmental Organizations.
