Welcome Message
Welcome to the Institute of Health Research (IHR) website. It is my pleasure to introduce you to our dynamic institute, where cutting-edge research, innovation, and collaboration converge to drive meaningful improvements in global health.
Established in 2016 with the vision of becoming a world class institute conducting high quality, cutting edge research and training in health and allied sciences, we at IHR, we are committed to advancing health research through our four specialized centres, each focusing on critical areas of health. These centres include:
Centre for Health Policy and Implementation Research: Focused on improving health systems, policies, and the implementation of effective health interventions.
Centre for Non-Communicable Diseases Research: Dedicated to understanding and addressing the global burden of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers.
Centre for Malaria Research: Leading innovative research to combat malaria, aiming to reduce its global impact through novel treatments and prevention strategies.
Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research: Working to tackle neglected diseases that affect millions of people worldwide, often in low-income regions, through targeted research and interventions.
In addition, our Research Operations Office ensures the smooth execution of all projects, upholding the highest standards of research integrity and ethical conduct across our activities.
At IHR, we firmly believe that transformative research is key to solving some of the most pressing health challenges of our time. Through cross-disciplinary collaboration and a commitment to excellence, we aim to generate knowledge that can significantly improve health outcomes for individuals and communities worldwide.
As you navigate through the pages of this website, you will have the opportunity to read more about the outputs and achievements of the experienced and dedicated researchers who work at the institute. We are fast becoming the Research Institute of choice in Ghana and the sub-region for collaborations, partnerships and implementation of cutting edge research. Whether you are a researcher, a collaborator, a student, or someone interested in health research, we invite you to explore our work and join us in shaping a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
Thank you for visiting our website. I look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead and the impact we can make together.
Warm regards,
Professor Kwame Ohene Buabeng
Acting Director
ESTABLISHMENT
The Institute of Health Research (IHR) at the University of Health and Allied Sciences was established in 2016 and became operational in January, 2017 to focus primarily on multidisciplinary research and provision of extension services.
The broad objectives and mandate of the Institute are:
To conduct research into health problems of Public Health importance in Ghana using multidisciplinary approaches
To develop research capacity to the highest level in as many disciplines as feasible and for staff through teaching and mentorship programmes
To provide training opportunities for graduate students in health research
To provide specialized laboratory diagnostic and monitoring services in support of public health programmes
To coordinate research conducted in the University; ensure access to research information within UHAS and facilitate dissemination of findings from health research.
To forge and expand research collaborations
Vision
To be a world class institute capable of conducting high quality cutting edge research and training in health and allied sciences.
To address the health research needs of the Ghanaian population for national development and contribute to global knowledge production
To use multi-disciplinary approaches that draw on a diverse range of expertise from all relevant disciplines to address health challenges
To provide state-of-the-art infrastructure for high quality research
To ensure financial sustainability and be globally competitive
To provide the enabling environment that would attract the best research scientists and highly motivated research students from across the world.
VALUE STATEMENT
The Institute shall at all times be committed to the conduct of high quality research that is ethical and ensure integrity of data generated.
The UHAS Institute of Health Research (IHR) provides new intelligence, perspectives, and analysis on trends affecting all health-related issues in Ghana and beyond. The IHR will help executive health decision makers navigate change through primary research and collaborative exchange. Our views will be shaped by a network of professionals with executive and day-to-day experience in the health industry.
ORGANIZATION
UHAS-IHR is organized through Centres that focus on thematic research areas rather than disciplines to promote multidisciplinary research that provides solutions to contemporary health issues. The Institute currently has the following Centres:
1. Centre for Malaria Research (CMR)
2. Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research (CNTDR)
3. Centre for Non-Communicable Diseases Research (CNCDR)
4. Centre for Health Policy and Implementation Research (CHPIR)
Each Centre has a minimum core group of scientists and in addition, draws on expertise from other Units at UHAS to facilitate interdisciplinary research. Provision is made for expansion of the current Centres based on new opportunities and capacities built over time.
The Institute also has a Research Operations Office (ROO) responsible for the provision of research administrative support.
GOVERNANCE
The UHAS-IHR is headed by a Director who reports to the Vice Chancellor. The Centres are headed by “Directors” but operationally equivalent to heads of department who report to the Director of UHAS-IHR. The institute also has an advisory board and management board.
STRATEGIC GOALS OF THE INSTITUTE
The short to medium term strategic goals of the Institute are to:
Ensure efficient documentation of all Research Operations in the University
Develop policies, guidelines and manuals for the conduct of research in the University
Streamline the processes for grant writing
Create a database of staff research capacity
Increase the portfolio of funded research in the University through active identification and dissemination of research grant opportunities and supporting grant writing
Produce annual research reports for the University
Ensure access to research information within UHAS and facilitate dissemination of research findings
Develop research expertise in the University by engaging existing expertise to start building capacity needed for research
Enhance mentorship program for staff and students
Form a strong team able to withstand global competitiveness by attracting some of the best research scientists in the country and globally
Forge Research Collaborations (North-South, South-South, Industry, Governments, Private Sector, NGOs etc.)
Ensure research carried out are of the highest standards through the setting up of a Scientific Review Committee (SRC), Ethics Review Committee (ERC) and the development of standards that will ensure Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Research Practice (GRP)
Play Leadership role in search of funds for research from Public and Private institutions/organisations
Build capacity in the University for appropriate administration of research contracts
Ensure registration, protection, patenting and commercialisation of any UHAS intellectual properties
Construct an Institute for Health Research Complex that has all enhanced laboratory and administrative facilities to carry out and administer cutting edge research including clinical trials.
Malaria continues to be an important parasitic disease in Africa where majority of deaths and the greatest economic loses are believed to occur. The disease is seen mostly as an African problem despite gains made in its control. The burden is heaviest in sub-Saharan Africa, where an estimated 90% of all malaria deaths occur. Children aged less than five years account for 78% of all malaria deaths. In Ghana malaria accounted for 38.1% of all outpatient illnesses, 27.3% of all admissions and 7.0% of all deaths in 2015.There were 10 million suspected cases of malaria in Ghana in 2015, 31.2% of which were children under five years old (NMCP, 2016).
About Us
The University of Health and Allied Sciences Centre for Malaria Research (CMR) was established to conduct cutting edge multidisciplinary research that will tackle all aspects of the disease for its elimination. The Centre carries out its mandate by fostering collaboration between malaria researchers with a variety of expertise within and outside the University
Mission
Provide the best evidence for policy and practice in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and elimination of malaria in Ghana and other parts of the world.
Provide teaching and training opportunities for graduate students on malaria in UHAS, other Universities and Health Training Institutions
Vision
To be a world-class Centre for the conduct of high quality, cutting edge, malaria research and training in health and allied sciences
Strategic Goals
The Centre has the following strategic goals;
To carry out cutting edge research and development in all aspects of the disease that will lead to the elimination of malaria
To conduct qualitative and ethnographic research to understand contexts of risk, illness experience, caregiving and social attitudes towards malaria
To provide specialized laboratory diagnosis and monitoring services for Public Health Programmes
To build capacity in all aspects of malaria research including surveillance, monitoring and evaluation
To provide technical and training support to institutions engaged in malaria control/elimination at all levels
To harness all malaria research being carried out in the University
To engage in advocacy on malaria at local, national and international fora
What are Neglected Tropical Diseases?
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of diseases with distinct characteristics that thrive mainly among the poorest and deprived populations. They threaten the lives and well-being of millions of people in neglected populations of the world’s poorest communities. The burden of these diseases is extremely high in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). For example, approximately 40% of the global burden of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is found in SSA while all the remaining cases of Guinea Worm Disease (GWD) is also found in the same region. The World Health Organisation has prioritised 17 of these NTDs in 149 endemic countries for focused global attention.
WHO prioritised neglected tropical diseases for control
| Helminth | Protozoa | Virus | Bacteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cysticercosis/Taeniasis | Chagas disease | Dengue and Chikungunya | Buruli ulcer |
| Dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease) | Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) | Rabies | Leprosy (Hansen disease) |
| Echinococcosis | Leishmaniases | Trachoma | |
| Foodborne trematodiases | Yaws | ||
| Lymphatic filariasis | |||
| Onchocerciasis (river blindness) | |||
| Schistosomiasis | |||
| Soil-transmitted helminthiases |
About Us
The Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases (CNTDR) is one of four Centres of the Institute of Health Research of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana. We conduct cutting-edge research in support of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) elimination/control programmes in sub-Saharan Africa and contribute to the global body of knowledge on these diseases. Thus, we seek to build the evidence for effective design, implementation and evaluation of NTD programmes.
Mission
Our Mission is to support national NTD programmes in Africa, through basic and implementation research, policy analysis, and prioritization of interventions for elimination/control of these diseases.
Vision
Our Vision is to eliminate/control Neglected Tropical diseases (NTDs) in deprived populations in Africa.
Strategic Objectives
1. To conduct research support implementation and evaluation of NTD programmes.
2. To conduct clinical trials in support of NTD drug development and their operational delivery
3. To conduct research on NTD-related disability management
4. To provide technical and training support to NTD programmes
5. To conduct research in support of integration of control/elimination activities into the health system and collaborative partnerships
6. To advocate for funding of NTD research
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) or chronic diseases, are diseases that are not transmitted from person to person. These diseases usually progress slowly and last for years. NCDs contribute significantly to illness, disability and deaths in Ghana. The four major types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases, (such as hypertension, heart attack, and stroke), diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory disease (such as asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease). These four account for 42% of total deaths in Ghana. Cardiovascular disease is the single largest contributor, followed by cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. Ghanaians between the ages of 30 and 70 years have a 20% chance of dying from one of these four major NCDs. Mental health disorders, which can be classified as neglected NCDs, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality with depression being the largest cause of disability worldwide.
About us
The Centre for Non-Communicable Diseases Research (CNCDR) conducts cutting-edge research to prevent and control common NCDs in Ghana and beyond. The Centre achieves this through multidisciplinary research into various aspects of NCDs by fostering collaboration and communication among NCD researchers in UHAS and those in other settings.
Mission
Our Mission is to be a collaboration Centre for multidisciplinary research into NCDs, facilitate the implementation of effective policies and evidence-based interventions to reduce NCDs and thereby improve the health of Ghanaians.
Vision
Our Vision is to be a Centre of excellence for NCDs research and policy.
Strategic Goals/Objectives
1. To conduct population-based research into NCDs.
2. To conduct operational and implementation research into cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes and mental disorders.
3. To conduct qualitative and ethnographic research to understand the complex psychological and cultural contexts of risk, illness experience, caregiving and social attitudes into the common NCDs and others.
4. To conduct innovative research in health care to improve outcomes for NCDs.
5. To provide technical and training support to NCD programs in other institutions.
On the eve of 2015 when MDG targets were expected to be met some progress had been made yet critical targets had not been met. Global forums concluded that research should not stop after providing the proof of principle for a product, or after demonstrating its effectiveness in selected situations, but that it has an additional critical role to play in helping to solve major implementation problems. A systematic approach to understanding and addressing barriers to effective and quality implementation of health innovations, strategies and policies with the hope of scaling up the results (Implementation research) is needed in low and middle income countries.
About us
The Centre for Health Policy and Implementation Research (CHPIR) is a crosscutting and multidisciplinary Centre which focuses on building capacity in and conducting innovative, ethical and high quality multidisciplinary research that provides credible and comprehensive evidence for the design and implementation of health policies.
Mission
To be a national Centre of excellence for research aimed at optimization and translation of innovation to health impact in Ghana and other Low and Middle Income countries.
Vision
• To foster partnerships between district and regional health teams and other stakeholders in the conduct of Implementation Research
• To strengthen capacity among , health professionals, researchers, academics and other stakeholders to conduct implementation research
Strategic Goals
The Centre has the following strategic goals:
• To develop didactic programs for capacity strengthening in health policy and implementation research in collaboration with relevant research and academic partners
• To foster stronger relationships and engagement with the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and major stakeholders in identifying implementation challenges and working with them to conduct research tailored to meet their needs.
• To set up a Health and Demographic Surveillance System as a platform for various studies conducted at UHAS
• To document and produce policy briefs of research conducted in UHAS that will facilitate the dissemination of research findings and translation of research into policy
Running a vigorous research enterprise in the University requires an efficient administrative establishment for the management and coordination of facilities and resources for research. The University of Health and Allied Sciences Research Operations Office (UHAS-ROO) supports faculty, staff and students as they develop proposals, conduct research and develop plans for stimulating research growth and research career development.
About Us
The Research Operations Office (ROO) provides research administrative support including grants management, research ethics, intellectual property and research uptake. We provide support and advice on funding opportunities, funder’s terms and conditions, costing, submissions, contracting, financial reporting and audits. We assist faculty, staff and students in the review, submission, negotiation and acceptance of grants, contracts and cooperative agreements for research and training. The ROO also helps sponsors identify UHAS investigators for participation in their research.
We have experts in proposal development, grants administration and research compliance. ROO is equipped to promote research and facilitate success in research endeavours at UHAS
Vision
Our Vision is a Health Research-Intensive University stimulated by effective and efficient systems for the conduct and administration of research.
Mission
Our Mission is to stimulate research in the University, provide advice and support to faculty, staff and students in their pursuit of external funding for research and streamline grants applications, awards management and implementation processes in the University.
Strategic Goals/Objectives
• To develop UHAS’s research related policies and guidelines
• To promote, facilitate and co-ordinate research activities in the University
• To provide pre- and post- award administrative services for research projects
• To help to ensure the overall effective coordination of the research administration service, system, policies and processes. These include providing advice on funding opportunities, funder’s terms and conditions, costing, submissions, contracting and financial reporting
• To review all grant and contract applications from UHAS for compliance with sponsor and University policies
• To establish an operational system for ethical clearance, as well as their monitoring and evaluation
• To facilitate the registration, protection, patenting and commercialisation of intellectual property
POSTAL ADDRES
INSTITUTE OF HEALTH RESEARCH
UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH AND ALLIED SCIENCES
PMB 41, HO – GHANA
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
2ND FLOOR, LABORATORY COMPLEX BUILDING
UHAS MAIN CAMPUS (PHASE 1)
TELEPHONE: +233 (0) 362196193
EMAIL: [email protected]
X: @UHAS_IHR