H.I.M Haile Selassie I inaugurated on March 20 1970 the Armauer Hansen Research Institute.
Background
The Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) is a medical research institute established in 1970 by the Government of Ethiopia in collaboration with Save the Children Organizations of Norway and Sweden, and University of Bergen. It was named after the Norwegian physician, Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who first described the leprosy bacillus (Mycobacterium leprae).
ARHI was initially established to investigate the pathogenesis and human immune responses of leprosy. However, it undertakes medical research in a wide range of diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, antimicrobial resistance, HIV various cancers, and other non-communicable conditions.
By the council of Ministers, Regulation Number 530/2023, when AHRI was restructured, in addition to the tasks and responsibilities it had previously, it was mandated to include traditional and modern medicine research and pharmaceutical industry development sectors.
The Institute focuses on responding to emerging and re-emerging diseases through health research and innovation. In addition, the Institute also places due emphasis on research on communicable and non-communicable diseases. The research activities are organized and carried out under seven Research Directorates. These are: The communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Research Directorate (CNCDRD); Clinical Trial Directorate (CTD), Knowledge Management Directorate (KMD), Vaccine, Diagnostic and Medical Devices Research and Development Directorate (VDMDRDD), Traditional and Modern Medicine Research and Development Directorate (TMMRDD), Pharmaceutical Industry Development Directorate (PIDD) and Pharmaceutical and Biological Product Development Directorate (PBPDD).
Moreover, the Institute offers research training to young Ethiopian university students who graduated in medicine and other health sciences. By accepting Master’s and PhD students from various local universities, the Institute provides technical supervision, laboratory facilities, and other material supports (laboratory supplies/reagents) to the post graduate students to conduct their research activities. Apart from this, AHRI provides several short-term and other capacity building trainings in collaboration with local and International institutes.
Mission
To improve medical care; health and wellbeing of the public by generating and delivering scientific evidence, developing and producing new/improved products, equipment and methods; and provide support to the pharmaceutical industry; and to serve as a hub for technology transfer and capacity building that increases the country’s sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits.
Vision
To be a center of excellence in medical research and innovation and to see a competitive pharmaceutical industry.
Establishment of AHRI
Council of Ministers Regulation No.530/2023 for the establishment of Armauer Hansen Research Institute.
Core Values
- Uphold professionalism
- Operate proactively
- Work in teams
- Committed to continuous learning
- Scientific excellence
- Resource conscious