HHR’s Maternal Immunization Study team participated in the 2nd Annual Maternal Immunization Network in Africa and Asia (MIRINA) meeting, which was held from February 24th to 28th, 2025, in Johannesburg, South Africa. This year’s theme, “Country-led pathways to maternal vaccine readiness: preparing for new vaccines,” focused on co-creating an evidence-driven national maternal immunization demand strategy. […]
Maternal Immunization Study team Read More »
Dr. Barbara Mahon, Deputy Director of Surveillance and Epidemiology at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, visited HHR. During her visit, Dr. Mahon observed on site hospital and community engagement activities at both the Haramaya and Harar sites. The HHR team also provided an overview of ongoing multidisciplinary initiatives and collaborative efforts aimed at influencing
The construction began in January 2025, following the official handover of the site on December 24, 2024, at Haramaya University’s Health and Medical Sciences campus. Upon completion, this project aims to provide accommodation for LSHTM researchers and guests visiting HHR to conduct studies.
HHR commenced staff residence construction Read More »
The Community Advisory Board (CAB) focuses on providing community input and guidance on research activities to ensure they are culturally appropriate and beneficial to the community. It serves as a bridge between HHR and the community, facilitating the exchange of insights and addressing community concerns. The CAB-Harar members held a quarterly meeting on November 07 2024.
Community Advisory Board – Harar held its quarterly meeting Read More »
A Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) surveillance program was launched at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital in November 2024. RSV is the leading viral pathogen causing respiratory infections in young infants worldwide, contributing to approximately 33 million cases of acute respiratory tract infections, 3 million hospitalizations, and 59,600 in-hospital deaths in children under 5 years of
HHR hosted the LSHTM Ethiopian Interest Group meeting, and several research activities were presented by researchers from both Ethiopia and other countries. The main objective of this meeting was to enhance research and use of research outputs by policy makers and programs. The meeting occurs annually during the months of September and October.
HHR organized a training on managing pregnancy induced hypertension disorder for midwives working at public health centers in Harar. The training took place from March 20-21, 2024, and the aim of the training was capacity building for Midwives on Pregnancy Induced Hypertension Disorder management which is the root cause for Neonatal Asphyxia (lack of oxygen
A delegation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation visits CHAMPS, Ethiopian Site.
On November 1st and 2nd, a delegation led by BMGF Ethiopia held a two-day visit at CHAMPS working sites at Eastern Ethiopia. The visit included meetings with site leads and researchers, and traveling to CHAMPS catchment areas.
The delegation visited Haramaya and Harar site MITS rooms, community engagement activities, Pregnancy Surveillance activities, laboratories, and IT data center.
The BMGF supports efforts to strengthen Ethiopia’s primary health care system, expand access to immunizations, improve coverage of family planning services, and improve maternal, newborn, and child health. In those sectors, the foundation also focuses on policy and advocacy to address systemic challenges and capture emerging opportunities.
A team from ReachAnother Foundation, a foundation that has provided life-saving surgery for more than 10,000 babies with SPINA BIFIDA & HYDROCEPHALUS in Ethiopia, visited Hiwot Fana Specialized Comprehensive Hospital and had a brief discussion with CHAMPS and the Hospital team.
The foundation is organizing training with the hospital nurses involved in NTD care. The training focuses on pre- and post-surgery care.
Reachanother is a nonprofit organization that strives to solve the hydrocephalus and spina bifida crisis in Ethiopia through treatment, aftercare, and prevention solutions. Similarly, CHAMPS has launched the SALT project that works on prevention, treatment, pre- and post-surgery care, and follow-up for babies with NTD cases; in the meantime, more than 50 children had surgery since July 2023.
