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Harnessing knowledge for health systems: AFIDEP’s Dr Rose Oronje panelist at AfHEA’s 2022 Biennial Scientific Conference

9 March 2022

Author: Lomuthando Nthakomwa

The African Health Economics Association (AfHEA) is holding its 6th scientific conference on 7 – 11 March 2022. AfHEA provides a forum for peer learning and information sharing for professionals in health economies in Africa. Participating at this year’s conference, AFIDEP’s Director of Public Policy and Knowledge Translation, and Head of Kenya Office, Dr Rose Oronje will be joining experts in a panel discussion on the role of co-producing knowledge. This takes place on 9 March 2022 at 15:45-17:00 (GMT).

The panel will explore the various working methods used to help bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice in development efforts in Africa; and highlight the role of policy-makers in the process of evidence production. The discussion will be moderated by Obinna Onwujekwe of the Health and Policy Research Group at the University of Nigeria. Other panellists include:

• Dr Rose Mbaye: Deputy Head of the Senegal National Centre of AHOP at the Department of Epidemiology, Clinical Research & Data Science, Institut Pasteur Dakar.

• Professor Deressa Wakgari: Ethiopia Ministry of Health

• Dr Angeline Mumararungu: Director of Planning and Health Financing from the Ministry of Health of Rwanda

• Patterson Siema: Director of Policy Engagement and Communications, African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC)

Additionally, the discussion will present perspectives from both the African Health Observatory Platform on Health Systems and Policies (AHOP) research community and government representatives within the greater AHOP collaborative, as well as other knowledge brokering platforms that aim to promote evidence-informed policy-making for health systems within the African region. It will further highlight how each group brings valuable and necessary knowledge resources to enrich research, decision-making, and action. Some of the challenges involved in multi-stakeholder knowledge generation will be examined, with an emphasis on the non-linear pathway that exists from research to policy use.

Under the theme, ‘Towards Resilient Health Systems in Africa: The Role of Health Economics and Policy Research,’ the AfHEA Conference will bring together African and international researchers, experts and policy makers to debate on resilient health systems and the role of health economics and policy research in resilient health systems in Africa. Due to on-going COVID-19 pandemic, all sessions will be held entirely online.