(Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, the WHO, Country Representative to Uganda,Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze)
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) on Wednesday 27th March 2019, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Health Organization (WHO). The MoU aimed at strengthening the relationship and providing an organized framework of collaboration (on an institutional basis) between the two parties. The agreement is the first of its kind between WHO and MakSPH. In Uganda, MakSPH is the leading institutions in public health research and training.
According to Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, the WHO, Country Representative to Uganda, the MoU stipulates the roles and responsibilities of Makerere University School of Public Health and World Health Organization in promoting safe, effective and affordable research products; capacity building and community service to the public.
The two parties will collaborate in the following areas;
- Planning and implementation of joint research projects between WHO and MakSPH in priority public health areas, including communicable and non-communicable diseases, health system strengthening
- Sharing information and knowledge between the two institutions, within acceptable institutional structures
- Supporting training and research programmes for the World Health Organization and Vice versa;
- Strengthening networking opportunities between the two institutions
- Holding Quarterly meeting to discuss issues of mutual public health importance and research priorities; and
- Whenever necessary and appropriate, jointly hold policy dialogues with stakeholders
Prof. Wanyenze highly commended the already existing relationship between MakSPH and WHO and looked forward to a fruitful collaboration between the two institutions. On behalf of the School and Makerere University, Prof. Wanyenze pledged to work hand in hand with WHO and Ministry of Health to promote the attainment of better health for the people of Uganda and beyond through Public Health Training, Research and Community service.
“We have done good work with WHO and Ministry of Health but it has been on an individual basis. Having a collaboration at this institutional level provides an opportunity to jointly identify the priorities in research, training and community engagement,” she said.
She was happy to note that the MoU signed, presents the School of Public Health with a lot of opportunities to enrich their research agenda.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding climaxed with a Seminar on the current and future Global Health Practices for World Health Organization and the Role of the Academia by Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam. Held in the Davis Lecture theatre, the well-attended session by staff and students of Makerere University College of Health Sciences, provided an insight on the Health Sector Development Plan (HDP) 2016-2020, WHO’s Country Cooperation Strategy 2016-2020, 13th WHO Global Programme of Work and Country prioritization 2019-2023.
Dr Woldemariam encouraged researchers and academicians to always focus on results and evidence-oriented research as well as training and building capacity on health among publics. “Ensure that what your government or organization does; is helping the lives of people. Demand for results and demand for evidence,” he said
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Article by Mak Public Relations Office
