SIHI Uganda hosted by Makerere University
We provide multi-sectoral expertise on social innovation in health and connect actors in order to advance community-based solutions for improving health outcomes in Uganda.
The Uganda Social Innovation in Health Hub was launched in 2017. It is based at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) and is partnering with the Ministry of Health and other key health organisations in Uganda. We aim to make health care more accessible, equitable and affordable by identifying, researching and supporting successful community-based solutions.
Makerere University
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
MakSPH is one of the leading Public Health education and research institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Located in Kampala, it is a semi-autonomous School within the College of Health Sciences at Makerere University. The mission of MakSPH is to promote the attainment of better health for the people of Uganda and beyond, through public health training, research and community service.
OUR FOCUS AREAS
Identity social innovations
We identify, examine and disseminate examples of social innovations in health to increase awareness, generate consensus and encourage the use of these solutions.
Enhance research capacity
We enhance research capacity for social innovation in health among stakeholders to improve the design, implementation and impact of health programmes.
Advocate and promote
We promote the use of the social innovation approach to harness the potential of communities and local resources to create lasting health improvement.
OUR ACTIVITIES
Innovation identification call
In 2017 we held a country-wide call for creative solutions addressing key challenges in maternal and child health. We had 50 submissions from across the country of which 5 were selected by an external review panel for international recognition, support and research.
Case study research
Our team visited each of the 5 selected innovations across the country. We talked to the innovators and the beneficiaries to learn about the solution, its impact and potential for scale. Full length case studies will be released later in the year.
Health Innovators Fellowship
Our selected innovators have begun their journey with the fellowship to teach them more about social entrepreneurship, research methods and monitoring and evaluation skills.
Student Research Grants
We received 51 applications from our call for small grants. These were reviewed and evaluated by an independent panel of experts. Four students will receive small grants for their research studies on social innovation from May to September 2018.
Social Innovation Library
The social innovation library will feature articles on the different theories of social innovation and social entrepreneurship. This will be made available online for people to learn more about social innovation.
Workshops And Events
We host events for multiple stakeholders (Ministry of Health, innovators, students, researchers, community members, funders) to come together to share, learn, advocate, and pool resources to advance social innovation in health and improve health care delivery.
SOCIAL INNOVATION IN HEALTH CASE STUDIES
MEET THE TEAM
DR PHYLLIS AWOR
Hub Director
Phyllis (MD,PhD) is a medical doctor and a public health specialist. She has over 10 years of experience conducting health systems and operational research.
Her research has focused on: improving both the public and private health sector in low income settings; quality of care for children in rural communities; maternal and child health policy analysis; and social innovation in health care. Phyllis led an innovative introduction of the WHO/UNICEF supported integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea strategy within drug shops in Uganda from 2010 – 2017, which earned her an award for professional performance in public health and sustainable development.
JULIET NABIRYE
Hub Coordinator
Juliet graduated with a master’s degree in public health, with interest in health systems and primary health care from Makerere University School of Public Health in 2018.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental health sciences from the School of Public Health in 2011. Juliet is currently involved in case study research for innovations in Uganda. Her previous work has focused on the role of the health system in uptake of the HPV vaccine among adolescent girls.
MAXENCIA NABIRYO
Hub Assistant
Maxencia supports the advancement of social innovation in Uganda through communications and case study research.
Maxencia holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental health sciences and is passionate about improving community health through research and innovative public health interventions.
PROF SSENGOOBA FREDDIE
Hub Advisor
Freddie has over 15 years of experience working in medical/health research and policy and is an associate professor of health policy and systems management at Makerere University School of Public Health.
He has extensive experience in policy related research and policy engagements in areas including: health service provision, health sector governance and financing, health system performance and health policies and innovations that straddle these aspects in Uganda and similar developing countries. Freddie has provided technical services to WHO, DFID, USAID, World Bank, Ministry of Health, Uganda AIDS Commission and multi-lateral and bilateral agencies and foundations. He serves on the Sector Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Working Group of the Ministry of Health in Uganda and on the governing board of Health Systems Global – a professional association of practitioners of health systems and policy research.
DR CHRISTINE NALWADDA KAYEMBA
Researcher
Christine is a lecturer in the Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences. She holds a PhD, Masters of Public Health and Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
Christine is a qualified public health specialist and researcher with considerable experience in use of both quantitative and qualitative research methods in implementation of research projects for the last twelve years. The areas of interest include maternal and child health, community health and health policy research. She has been involved in research projects as principal investigator at the School of Public health, including evaluating last mile medicines transportation by Ministry of Health Uganda, evaluating compliance to community newborn referrals in eastern Uganda and assessing introduction of newborn care services in the integrated community case management program in Uganda.
