Ifakara Health Institute

Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) is a world class research institute that exist to improve health and wellbeing of people. IHI has a strong track record in developing, testing and validating innovations for health that save lives. Our mission is to improve people’s health and wellbeing through research, training and services. IHI work across biomedical & ecological sciences, interventions and clinical trials, health systems and policy. IHI is registered in Tanzania as an independent non-profit outfit with history dating back to the 1950s. It has its headquarters in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with major branches in Bagamoyo and Ifakara, Tanzania – her original birthplace.

Our vision is to have a healthy and empowered population with access to evidence-based health services and solutions. Our current strategy will unlock the potential of the institute’s journey and aspiration to enhance its impact on health and well-being in the region through four strategic imperatives, which are;

• Evidence-based solutions
• Policy and knowledge translation
• Community empowerment for health
• Institutional development

Unique attributes or strength

IHI is a unique institution, which has built a vibrant research community, supported by local and international collaborators. It hosts over 200 scientists working on a range of health topics including maternal, neonatal and child health, nutrition and WASH, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases amongst others. Our team includes sociologists, epidemiologists, clinicians, pharmacists, nursers, statisticians, public health specialists, nutritionists, community developers, M&E specialists, entomologists, demographers to mention a few. IHI work with the ministry of health in mapping circulating TB strains to identify resistance patterns and testing new TB diagnostics. The TB research group work on evaluating TB vaccine, new diagnostics, novel drugs against TB, epidemiologic and transmission of TB through population based cohorts and basic science to improve the understanding of TB through TB immunology and co-evolution.

Website URL: www.ihi.or.tz

X (Twitter) handle: @ifakarahealth