Our Background

Haydom Global Health Research Institute (HGHRI) is a Centre established by Haydom Lutheran Hospital (HLH) under the ELCT Mbulu diocese in 2009. The establishment of HGHRI was in recognition by HLH on the need to strengthen the third pillar of the foundation of HLH. HGHRI in north-central Tanzania represents a potential rural setting for performing high-quality and relevant medical research in sub-Saharan Africa. The HGHRI structure is located at HLH, which is in Mbulu district in the Manyara region. The population around Haydom is more than 2 million, and the majority are agro-pastoralists.

HGHRI has a well-functioning research “infrastructure”, and for over 16 years has been involved in hospital and community-based research. The engagement in community-based research has further enhanced the trust between the hospital and the community around. The HGHRI has a good track record of conducting observational studies and clinical trials. The research focuses on high burden health conditions in the catchment, such as Malnutrition, Enteric infections, maternal and child health, and tuberculosis. The first research project implemented by HGHRI was “The Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health (MAL-ED),” which was a multi-site project in eight countries (Africa, Asia, and South America), and was the largest study ever conducted in the field, globally. HGHRI has trained and experienced staff supported by a well-functioning research laboratory with sample collection, processing, and storage, a data management unit, cold chain capacity for managing investigational products, as well as infrastructure to support field visits