The Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) and its Eastern Ethiopia Health Research Consortium (EEHRC) held a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Dire Dawa City from January 13 to 14, 2024. On his welcoming remark, Prof. Afework Kassu, Director General of AHRI, expressed his gratitude to the guests of honor and participants for joining the meeting. He also highlighted a malaria research of global significance that was covered in the New York Times in which Dire Dawa City was a part. Following the opening remark, the guest of honor, Dr. Tsigeraeda Kifle, Head of Dire Dawa City Administration Health Bureau delivered a keynote address. In her speech, Dr. Tsigereda, acknowledged the longstanding contributions of AHRI in health research and research capacity building. She stressed the need for collaboration to generate evidence for decision-making that resolves the health problems of the region. She concluded her opening speech by stating that the engagement forum is a vital instrument in sharing common challenges, best experiences and recommendations and called up on all members to play their best roles to utilize opportunities created by the consortium.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Ubah Adem, President of Dire Dawa University, Dr. Yishak Yusuf, Vice President of Haremaya University, and Dr. Temam Awel, Research and Technology Transfer Vice President of Dire Dawa University and Mr. Ahmed Abdinasir, Vice President for Administration and Development of Kabridahar University. Leaders and Representatives of AHRI, Health Bureaus of Dire Dawa and Harari Regional Administration, and Universities of Dire Dawa, Haramaya, Kebridehar, Jigjiga, Oda Bultum and Semera attended the engagement meeting.
The meeting aimed to review the progress and challenges of the research projects conducted by AHRI and EEHRC in the areas of malaria neglected tropical diseases, and other diseases of public health importance. Researchers of the consortium members made poster presentations on selected research. The meeting also discussed the future plans and strategies of the consortium to enhance its research capacity and impact. The participants expressed their appreciation for the establishment of the consortium and the achievements and contributions of AHRI and EEHRC to the national health research agenda. Dr. Yishak Yusuf, Vice President of Haremaya University, and Dr. Temam Awel, Research and Technology Transfer Vice President of Dire Dawa University made closing remarks calling up on members to contribute their shares in strengthening the consortium. Prof. Afework Kassu offered certificate of recognition to partner institutes who made invaluable contribution to malaria research completed recently. He also delivered vote of thanks to the guests of honor and participants of the meeting for their active engagement in the event.
Leaders and of AHRI made a sensitization march on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases research at Dire Dawa University led by Dr. Temam Awel. The team visited a sewage collection and treatment pond at Dire Dawa University which is serving as larva stage management of Anopheles stephensi, a vector transmitting malaria causing diagnostic and treatment resistant plasmodium.
Finally, leaders of AHRI paid a visit to Hass Meditech, a medical equipment manufacturing company in Dire Dawa. The company will soon manufacture 1ml, 3ml & 5ml syringes.
