This 5th Annual Scientific Symposium was officiated by Hon. Ummy Mwalimu the Tanzanian Minister of Heath, and attended by Dr. Michael A. Battle Sr., the US Ambassador to Tanzania, Prof. Mark Elliott - Vice Provost of International Affairs at Harvard University and Board Chairperson to Africa Academy for Public Health, Dr. Mahesh Swaminathan - Country Director, Center of Disease control and Prevention (CDC) Tanzania, Melissa McNeil-Barrett – UNFPA Deputy Representative, Prof. Ayoade Oduola from University of Ibadan Research Foundation only to mention a few.
In this day-long event, evidences were presented and discussed on the links between family planning and nutrition, showcasing findings from the Family Planning and Nutrition project and other key work in this area led by colleagues in the sub-Saharan African region. Through this workshop, we engaged with a range of stakeholders, including those working in academia, policymaking and programme implementation, government officials, and civil service representatives working across family planning, nutrition, and allied domains.
The HIS program as is customary, organized its 7th Annual Symposium in Dar es Salaam Tanzania mid-January 2024. This symposium reviewed the state of the empirical evidence as well as potential novel interventions and implementation strategies in (i) HIV and NCDs, (ii) iron supplementation, and (iii) food supplementation in the context of TB.
In response to increased rates of undernutrition, overweight, and food insecurity among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the Africa Academy for Public Health (AAPH) in collaboration with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Tanzania's Ministry of Health, the Local Government and beneficiaries are co-designing adolescent-led interventions including digital approaches.
AAPH takes pride in such collaborative efforts to build local capacity via summer research training fellowships, and postgraduate programs with Harvard University and other global partners; developing the next generation of African public health leaders. #ForBetterPublicHealth
As we commemorate suicide prevention day this year, we are all obligated to play our roles in giving rise to hope for others through our actions. We should strive to create a safe environment for young people and everyone else to express their feelings in schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities and communities without judgement, For Better Public Health.
Dr Mary Mwanyika Sando the CEO and her team disseminated key findings from the ARISE Adolescents Health Survey titled “Harnessing longitudinal data and digital technologies to improve adolescent health across sub-Saharan Africa”, which was supported by Fondation Botnar and implemented in collaboration with Tanga City Council.
Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable WorldThe Meals, Education, and Garden for in school Adolescents (MEGA) Project was implemented among six secondary schools. MEGA had four key components: school gardening; school meals program; and comprehensive education on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), agriculture as well as nutrition. As we respond to the urgent climate crisis and pursue the Sustainable Development Goals, the significance of green skills become undeniable. It is imperative that governments, educational institutions, businesses, and communities unite to embed green skills within educational frameworks and professional training. By doing so, young people shall be equipped with the tools to catalyze innovation, promote sustainable practices, and navigate the future challenges, for Better Public Health.
Viral Hepatitis Day 2023 presents an opportunity to recommit to fighting viral hepatitis and ensuring the well-being of everyone. We can all play a role by spreading awareness, promoting prevention, and access to quality healthcare services. Tanzania and the World can move closer to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat. One life, one liver, for Better Public Health.
Dissemination of ARISE Adolescent Health Survey findings was conducted in Tanga City Council on the 17th July 2023. It was attended by the Minister of Health Hon. Minister Ummy Mwalimu (MP) and members of diverse Tanga City Council (TCC) departments who are key implementers of day-to-day activities involving adolescents in Tanga. During the meeting, key findings on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Mental Health, Health Service Utilization, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, and Substance Use were presented by Africa Academy of Public Health AAPH (convener of the ARISE Network) to the Minister of Health.