IHI Support - Single Phase


Tanzania’s health sector faces critical challenges, compounded by limited access to reliable, locally generated data for evidence-based decision-making. Amid a shifting donor fiscal landscape impacting institutional resources, this initiative supports the 2023–2028 strategic plan of the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), SDC’s strategic partner, by providing a single-phase support out of core contribution while safeguarding capacity and enabling sustainable, high-quality local research.

Pays/région Thème Période Budget
Tanzanie
Santé
nothemedefined
Renforcement des systèmes de santé
Services médicaux
01.07.2025 - 31.12.2028
CHF  1’450’000
Contexte Tanzania faces a significant burden of preventable diseases like malaria and tuberculosis, which impact national development and health equity. Key public institutions such as the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) and the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) play important roles in coordinating health research and innovation; however, as government entities, their agendas can be influenced by broader political priorities. In contrast, the IHI — which traces its roots to a Swiss field-laboratory and has received Swiss government and academic support over decades — operates as an independent, nongovernmental research organization, allowing it greater flexibility to conduct locally driven, evidence-based research that informs policy and practice. Ensuring IHI’s ability to sustain such work through core funding is essential to strengthening the national evidence base, particularly in emerging areas such as climate and health, while also reinforcing the strategic linkages between IHI and SDC’s health portfolio for effective policy dialogue.
Objectifs To contribute to a healthy and empowered population with access to evidence-based health services and solutions through the excellence of a local research organization
Groupes cibles National and international scientists; Ministry of Health - also through NIMR; Ministry of Education Science and technology (MoEST), also through COSTECH; Members of Parliament; General population
Effets à moyen terme

1. Strengthened institutional and financial sustainability of IHI for long-term research capacity 

2. Increased evidence-based policy and practice through high-impact research on climate and health

Résultats

Principaux résultats attendus:  

1. Further assessment and development of the for-profit branch of IHI

2. Establishment of strategic partnerships and funding mechanisms to support ongoing research initiatives

3. Young researchers retained, trained and recognized through competitive scientific research programs

4. Translation of research evidence into actionable tools, guidelines, and recommendations for policymakers and practitioners

5. Climate and health research studies conducted, published, and disseminated


Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

Institutional Governance and Research Capacity

i. Improved credibility and quality of research outputs - from 29 to 100+ peer-reviewed publications per year

ii. Established level I, II, and III clinical trials facilities

iii. Increased policy influence and representation in 22 government advisory and technical working groups 

Financial Accountability and Sustainability

i. Improved quality of financial reporting - progressed from unaudited accounts to consistently unqualified audit reports since 1993

ii. Diversified revenue streams beyond conducting scientific research to include rentals, consultancies, financial markets, and starting a foundation

iii. Broadened the donor base, increasing global and


Direction/office fédéral responsable DDC
Partenaire de projet Partenaire contractuel
Institution universitaire et de recherche étrangère
Secteur privé
  • Sectreur privé étranger Sud/Est
  • Research Organisation of South East
  • Ifakara Health Institute (IHI)


Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs

Projects: Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Health Basket Fund (HBF), Towards Elimination of Malaria in Tanzania (TEMT).

Actors: Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), NIMR

Budget Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF    1’450’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF    754’856 Budget de l'Organisation CHF    131’700’000 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF   0 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF   1’450’000
Phases du projet Phase 1 01.07.2025 - 31.12.2028   (Phase en cours)