The main objective is to study the ways in which temporarily returning Somali diaspora health experts contribute to strengthening of the health system in Somalia. We investigate ideas and modes of behaviour that diaspora transfer to communities in their country of origin (Somalia) with intended or unintended societal transformation and capacity building such as transferred skills and knowledge. The study focuses on the Northeastern regions of Somalia - Somaliland and Puntland, which enjoy relative security, autonomy and progress in development compared to the other regions of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Team

Saeed Soleman, Mikko Perkkiö, Annariina Koivu, others from Somalia to be decided

It focussed on improving vocational and adult education to respond better to concrete needs in society and industry; it engaged and encouraged female teachers and students to have an active role in development of their institutions, their communities and wider society; of entrepreneurship, basic social and health care, environmental education and waste management, updating of adult education provision, improving vocational teacher education; it encouraged universities to collaborate more concretely with adult and vocational institutes for example in graduate and doctoral thesis research.

Team

Anja Heikkinen, Perpetua Kalimasi Kilasi, Kimani Muturi

In Yemen the number of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity remains high and more women become disabled as a result of pregnancy and childbirth complications. In addition, Yemen is among the country where female genital mutilation/cutting stills practice and many girls are undergo circumcise. The Project focuses on estimating the socioeconomic and other contributed factors of both maternal and child health outcomes including maternal mortality in the community setting as well as maternal health care seeking behavior. Also, the project investigates the prevalence and determinant factors for female genital mutilation/cutting

Team

Abdullah Alosaimi (Yemen), Riitta Luoto (Finland), Abdul Wahed Al Serouri (Yemen), Bright Nwaru (Finland), Halima Mouniri (Morocco), Birgitta Essén (Sweden).

In this research project, I examine and analyse globalised health care policies and the related infrastructures in the Kilimanjaro region in Tanzania. I will provide a holistic portrayal of a health system and the peoples it serves by exploring the vicissitudes of sickness and health and the plurality of therapeutic trajectories. The project produces new knowledge about the state of public and private health care systems and infrastructures under free-market conditions by using a local-scale approach to examine a global issue. Additionally, the project will contribute to a broader understanding of health-seeking behaviours by using ethnographic methods to analyse social dynamics of health care in the community and within health care systems. The project has an explicit aim of producing information that will have direct uses in improving health care systems and infrastructure in the developing world.

Team

INDEHELA-Access aims to continue from INDEHELA-ICI 2011-2013 health informatics curricula development efforts and HI pilot courses in south curricula. Informatics Development for Health in Africa – network consists of Universidade Eduardo Mondlane UEM in Mozambique, Abofemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa and University of Eastern Finland and Savonia University of Applied Sciences. Our joint interest in INDEHELA-Access is in how to make health information accessible also to populations in recourse restricted areas in a format most interesting and user-friendly yet affordable and sustainable.

Team

Prof Kaija Saranto UEF, Vilma Vainikainen UEF, Dr Pirkko Kouri SUAS, Prof Emilio Mosse UEM, Prof Retha deLaHarpe CPUT, Prof Omoloa Irinoye OAU