ICHAD Formalizes Partnership with the Uganda Ministry of Health

The International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD) formalized their partnership with the Uganda Ministry of Health. On June 28, 2024, ICHAD led by Dr. Fred Ssewamala (Founding Director), the Ministry of Health, and the AfriChild Center, signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to collectively partner to deliver evidence-based research for the benefit of the Government of Uganda. The Uganda Ministry of Health is a key player in formulating policy that prevents child mortality and promotes children’s health under the National Child Policy 2020. This partnership will help to shape the government’s policy on children survival and health in accordance with International Instruments and Domestic Legislation and policy on children’s right to health and survival.

This formal agreement is a culmination of more than a decade of ICHAD’s engagement with the Ministry, from working closely with district-level ministry officials (District Health Officers) within the greater Masaka region where ICHAD works, to engaging with the Minister of Health, Hon Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng during ICHAD’s annual gatherings. Most recently in April, ICHAD hosted the minister at Washington University in St. Louis, where she engaged with University’s leadership and delivered the keynote address at ICHAD’s 2024 Global Adolescent Health and Economic Strengthening Conference and CHILD-GRF Final Program Meeting.

“It is good to have a breath of fresh air and reflect on fresh data that comes in for us to inform policy. It is not just an MOU signing, it is a collaboration that will grow stronger, even when we are not here, we would like to see that it grows and continues with the young generation,” noted the minister.

Key objectives of the MOU include conducting joint research projects, capacity building, policy and knowledge dissemination, resource mobilization, reporting, coordination and management, as well as planning and management of activities in furthering these objectives.

WashU delegation led by Dr. Ssewamala, included Dr. Proscovia Nabunya, Dr. Nhial Tutlam, Dr. Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, Dr. Mitra Naseh, and ICHAD-Uganda staff. Read about the event as covered in Uganda’s national newspaper here.