Functions of the Institute

The core function of the institute is to promote health policy & health systems research, training, and application in Africa through the following ways:

(i). Research Functions: Research in health policy & health systems is the major thrust of the Institute. Research using all types of scientific methodologies are being developed and embarked upon at the institute. All the research works are geared towards enhancing the knowledge and application of health policy for health systems strengthening in Africa.

(ii). Teaching Functions:

(a). Short-term training courses of various durations (e.g., one week, one month, three months, and six months);

(b). Post-graduate Diploma in Health Policy & Health Systems;

(c). Masters in Health Policy & Health Systems;

(d). PhD in Health Policy & Health Systems.

All the postgraduate programmes adhere to the NUC benchmark of academic standard.

(iii). Public Service Functions: The Institute provides services to the public such as consultancies in the field of health policy & health systems, through the provision of technical expertise (e.g., resource persons in public, organizational training programmes/workshops/meetings). The Institute also plays an advisory role to government/other organizations’ health programmes, projects, and other health initiatives.

(iv). Networking/Partnership Functions: The Institute builds a robust networking and partnership platform with experts, organizations, institutions, and individuals interested in health policy & health systems. This networking includes researchers, policymakers, health practitioners, the media, etc., within and outside of Africa.

(v). Research Dissemination Functions: The Institute develops mechanisms to disseminate health policy & health systems research findings and other vital information. This will be achieved through the establishment of a Journal of Health Policy, Health Systems & Knowledge Translation, as well as newsletters, etc.

(vi). Policy Making Functions: The Institute participates and plays a major role in health policymaking at local, national, and international levels. The Institute promotes and advocates for the use of policy briefs and multi-stakeholder policy dialogues. The institute is a major platform where policy-relevant evidence can be obtained for policymaking in all aspects of the health sector.

(vii). Workshops/Conferences: Apart from participating actively in conferences and workshops on health policy & health systems locally and internationally, the Institute organizes/hosts conferences and workshops. These could be yearly or twice a year as may be needed. The conferences/workshops will be used to promote the science of health policy & health systems locally and internationally.

(viii). Policy Information Platform: This is a special initiative of the Alliance for Health Policy & Systems Research (World Health Organization) hosted by the Institute in Ebonyi State University. The Policy Information Platform is a “one-stop shop,” which is a comprehensive database for both policy-relevant evidence, both peer-reviewed and grey literature.

(ix). Fellowships and Awards: The Institute, in collaboration with various national and international agencies, executes fellowship programmes in Health Policy & Health Systems.

(x). Academic Exchange Programmes: As part of the effort to further internationalize the activities of the Institute, a robust academic exchange programme has been developed and is being executed. This has enabled the exchange of international scholars and the visitation of international scholars either to conduct research or to train individuals in specialized areas in health policy & health systems.

(xi). Academic Programmes: The Institute will continue to explore new frontiers in the science of health policy & health systems and will develop innovative academic programmes that have relevance to the current global expectations in the field.